Deputy CM Eknath Shinde Announces 8 Lakh Affordable Homes to Be Built by MHADA in Next Five Years

Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who also serves as the state’s Housing and Urban Development Minister, announced a significant initiative aimed at addressing the housing needs of the state’s residents. The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) will be constructing 8 lakh affordable homes over the next five years. This ambitious plan aims to meet the growing demand for affordable housing, particularly for low- and middle-income groups in Maharashtra.

The announcement was made at a housing lottery event where the winners of 2,147 affordable homes and 117 plots in the Konkan division were revealed. Speaking at the event, Deputy CM Shinde emphasized the importance of affordable housing in Maharashtra, noting that it has always been a priority for the state government. He stated that MHADA, through various housing schemes, has been dedicated to increasing the supply of affordable homes for the people.

The government’s strategy for the construction of these 8 lakh homes includes a combination of cluster development, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), and several other state-led initiatives. Deputy CM Shinde also highlighted the ongoing work on Asia’s largest cluster development project in Thane, which is being executed by MHADA, along with other similar projects in Mumbai.

MHADA, which has been the nodal authority for affordable housing in Maharashtra since its establishment in 1977, has already constructed over 5 lakh housing units across the state. These units include redeveloped properties and those built under various schemes aimed at providing homes to the urban poor. The 8 lakh affordable homes planned for the next five years will expand on these efforts, catering to a wider population across different income categories.

Deputy CM Shinde added that the transparent lottery system used by MHADA has built public trust, evidenced by the overwhelming response to the current housing lottery. Over 31,000 individuals applied for the 2,147 homes available in this lottery. The transparency in the process has made people more confident in the system, and as a result, the demand for affordable housing has seen a marked increase.

MHADA’s affordable homes are available across different price ranges, catering to a variety of income groups. These homes will be constructed in several parts of the state, with particular focus on areas in and around Mumbai, including Thane, Palghar, Kalyan, Titwala, and Raigad, as well as further coastal areas like Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, and Malvan. This ensures that the affordable housing initiative is not confined to Mumbai but extends to other growing urban centers in Maharashtra.

In addition to the regular housing lotteries, which have garnered significant interest over the years, Deputy CM revealed that MHADA plans to conduct another lottery in the next six months. This will be the second lottery of the year, offering residents multiple opportunities to secure affordable homes. The lottery results for the recently announced 2,147 homes will be published on MHADA's official website, where all successful applicants will also be notified via email and SMS.

The state government’s efforts to provide affordable housing through initiatives like these are a part of a broader push to ensure that every citizen has access to a roof over their head. Deputy CM Shinde reiterated the government's commitment to building homes for all, particularly for those in the economically weaker sections of society. The new housing units are expected to ease the growing pressure on urban housing markets, especially in areas around Mumbai where demand for affordable housing far exceeds supply.

In the recent lottery, a significant number of winners came from areas like Thane and Kalyan. Notably, 32-year-old Dattaprasad Palav, a real estate consultant from Thane, won a 2 BHK apartment in Kalyan for ₹35 lakh. Similarly, Mangesh Kolekar, a resident of Dombivli, won a 2 BHK apartment worth ₹22 lakh. These winners expressed their excitement at securing affordable homes in the congested Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), a region where housing costs often leave many families struggling to find affordable options.

In addition to the new housing developments, MHADA's lottery system remains a popular method for citizens to access affordable homes. Each lottery sees thousands of applications for a limited number of homes, underscoring the high demand for low-cost housing in the state. MHADA has also launched initiatives like the first-come, first-served sale of homes, which complements the lottery process and makes affordable housing more accessible.

The state’s focus on transparent processes and the ongoing efforts to construct new homes align with the broader objectives of urban development and social welfare. While MHADA’s efforts in affordable housing are commendable, the scale of demand reflects the broader issue of housing shortages in urban India. As the population continues to grow, it will be essential for authorities to maintain and expand these initiatives, ensuring that housing remains affordable for all.