Affordable rental housing: DDA nods scheme under Delhi master plan

Under its Master Plan of Delhi (MPD)-2021, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) gave final approval on Tuesday for the development of an affordable rental housing complex (ARHC) scheme. The approval came at a board meeting presided over by Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal, who is also the DDA's chairman. A senior DDA official said that the policy will now be sent to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for final notification. The scheme, which received preliminary approval from the land-owning agency (DDA) in March this year, is designed to provide affordable rental housing options for urban migrants and the poor. ARHCs could now be built on privately owned land, government land, or land owned by other agencies, thanks to the proposal. This will also include plots sold at DDA auctions, where developers can use the land to build affordable rental housing complexes. The housing complexes will comprise a mix of dwelling units (single and double bedrooms) with all common facilities, as per the approved standards. The approved policy allows for a maximum of 10% of the permissible floor area ratio (FAR) to be used as a commercial component, which the building developers could rent or sell. For the urban poor and migrant workers in Delhi, the policy includes affordable and easily accessible rental housing near workplaces. During the meeting, the DDA also received primary approval for its proposed dynamic parking norms. The parking regulations were developed after a study by the Delhi Urban Arts Commission and discussions with the National Institute of Urban Affairs, Delhi Municipal Corporations, and other agencies. The DDA said that if the proposed policy is approved, residential projects will be based on the number and size of dwelling units rather than the built-up area, ensuring a balanced facility for residents. Image Source Also read: DDA promotes affordable housing, will dispose group housing projects Also read: E-auctions: DDA extends deadline for balance bid premium