Government Clears 2.88 Lakh Affordable Urban Homes

Central government has approved the construction of 2.88 lakh homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban 2.0 (PMAY-U 2.0), taking the total sanctioned under the scheme to over 13.61 lakh units. The approvals were granted during the sixth meeting of the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) held in New Delhi, marking a continued push towards affordable and inclusive urban housing.

The newly approved projects span 16 states and union territories, covering multiple verticals under PMAY-U 2.0. Beneficiary-Led Construction (BLC) accounts for 1.66 lakh houses, while Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) constitutes 1.09 lakh units. Additionally, the Affordable Rental Housing (ARH) vertical, aimed at supporting low-cost rental accommodation in urban centres, received sanctions for 12,846 units. A senior official in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) noted that the ARH approvals reflect growing attention on rental housing, which is increasingly important for cities witnessing rapid migration and population growth. The focus on sustainable and accessible housing near mass transit corridors is also emphasised, reinforcing the integration of residential projects with urban mobility infrastructure.

A notable aspect of the latest approvals is the prioritisation of gender equity and inclusivity. Over 1.60 lakh houses have been sanctioned in the name of women, including widows and unmarried women, while eight units are earmarked for transgender beneficiaries. Senior citizens are also being accommodated with 22,581 units, and allocations for underprivileged groups include 35,525 houses for Scheduled Castes, 9,773 for Scheduled Tribes, and 82,190 for Other Backward Classes. Across BLC and ISS verticals, nearly 96% of sanctioned homes are either under female ownership or joint ownership, reflecting a deliberate push for social equity in housing. The CSMC also approved three Demonstration Housing Projects (DHPs) in Chhattisgarh, Puducherry, and Rajasthan, each comprising 40 dwelling units. These pilot projects are intended to test innovative urban housing solutions that can be scaled across other regions, contributing to climate-resilient and resource-efficient construction practices.

Since its launch, PMAY-U has seen over 122.50 lakh houses sanctioned nationally, with more than 97 lakh units completed and delivered, signalling measurable progress in addressing India’s urban housing deficit. Industry experts highlight that the expansion under PMAY-U 2.0 represents not only a significant investment in infrastructure but also a strategic alignment with inclusive, people-centric urban development. As urban populations continue to grow, the integration of affordable, accessible, and gender-inclusive housing into city planning will remain crucial. Policymakers and urban planners note that ensuring proximity to transport corridors, employment hubs, and essential services will enhance the liveability and sustainability of these new communities, driving equitable urban growth in the coming decade.

Government Clears 2.88 Lakh Affordable Urban Homes