New Delhi, Feb 14 (TNT): Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday said the Centre is considering encouraging the setting up of charitable institutions to mobilise funds for affordable housing, particularly for the LIG and EWS segments, as banks and financial institutions remain reluctant to finance this sector.
Addressing the second day of the NAREDCO Conclave 2026, Khattar said funds for such charitable institutions could be raised through CSR contributions to support housing for economically weaker sections.
The Union Minister also indicated that the government is examining the creation of a dedicated fund to revive stalled housing projects approved prior to RERA, based on broader consultations with industry stakeholders, to ensure relief to both developers and homebuyers. Industry representatives suggested increasing the size of the SWAMIH Fund to support such projects.
Khattar further said the government is deliberating a policy framework to develop around 700–750 slum settlements in and around the NCT, which is expected to give a significant boost to affordable housing in the region.
On the issue of land availability, he noted that providing cheaper land for affordable housing may not be feasible, but could be explored to encourage land supply, subject to consensus.
Earlier, Kuldip Narayan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, said unused land parcels and vacant buildings in city centres could be identified using satellite mapping and brought into productive use for housing.
He added that the government is also examining the feasibility of rental housing.
Speaking on the occasion, Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman, NAREDCO, said sustained policy support is needed to raise the housing sector’s contribution to 15 per cent of GDP by 2047, and called for faster policy decisions to promote rental housing at scale.
A KPMG–NAREDCO Knowledge Report outlining a roadmap for the real estate sector towards Viksit Bharat was also released at the event.
TNT KS
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