The Dharavi Redevelopment Project clarified that upper-floor residents who submit affidavits to establish eligibility for affordable rental housing must obtain certification from the ground-floor occupant, and that such claims will be accepted only if the underlying ground-floor unit itself qualifies under the scheme.

The clarification addresses a trend in which a large number of upper-floor residents opted to submit affidavits, which are treated as the lowest-priority document, to claim Affordable Rental Housing Units outside the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Authorities emphasised that certification is intended to prevent misuse of the affidavit route.

Under the scheme, residents who lived in Dharavi between 2011 and November 2022 are eligible for around 300 sq ft rental units on a hire-purchase model, with payments spread over 25 years or made upfront before ownership is transferred. The scheme applies to units located outside the MMR and aims to provide secure rental accommodation with a path to ownership. Officials noted that eligibility depends on residence history and supporting documentation.

Officials said that while affidavits feature among accepted documents under a Government Resolution dated October four, 2024, such declarations must be certified by the ground-floor resident and will be validated only if the ground-floor dwelling meets the DRP criteria. In cases where multiple families claim eligibility for a subdivided upper-floor structure, affidavits alone will not suffice and applicants will be required to submit higher-priority documents such as electricity bills or formal address proof. The clarification follows reported instances where the eligibility provisions were misused.

Authorities reiterated that upper-floor occupants qualify only for the rental housing component and are not entitled to free rehabilitation housing under the project. Prospective applicants were advised to assemble corroborative documentation and expect verification by the implementing agency before final allotment. The DRP adjustment aims to ensure orderly processing and equitable allocation of housing units.