Housing sector vital for achieving double-digit growth: Rashesh Shah

FICCI President Mr. Rashesh Shah said that housing is a vital sector in achieving double-digit growth.

Mr. Shah said that there is a demand-supply gap of 20 million in the housing sector. "It will take around 8-10 years to fill the demand-supply gap in the housing sector," he added.

Mr. Shah called for a further stimulus for the housing sector by increasing the loan tenure for individuals under the EWS category to 20 to 30 years as these are asset-backed loans. The loan tenure is 5 to 10 years presently for individuals in this category.

He said that the distinction between the housing finance companies and affordable housing finance companies is blurring with the passage of time and lauded the progress made in affordable housing during the past three years, "I expect more growth in the coming 5 to 6 years for the sector," Mr. Shah said.

Mr. Ashish Karamchandani, Senior Advisor, FSG said that affordable housing provides an opportunity to low income households, especially the EWS (Economically Weaker Section), to own a house. He further added that with a reasonably priced debt, readily available equity, and an opportunity for geographic expansion, the housing sector would grow over 30% per annum.

Report features:

Rapid urbanisation and a lack of planned affordable housing in India have led to a shortage of 10 - 12 million urban homes. Around 26 - 37 million urban households - predominantly in low income and EWS category - reside in informal housing, often in poor living conditions.

The report finds that financing of customers with no income proof or those working in the informal sector is a vital innovation as highlighted by the loan portfolio of 27000 crores for the category.

The report highlights an economically viable approach to help address "Housing for all" and at the same time generate employment and facilitate rental supply. It presents simple and practical recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of PMAY.

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