Odisha Pushes Affordable Housing Agenda at NITI Aayog Workshop
State focuses on land reforms and innovative financing to meet urban housing demand
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening affordable housing as rapid urbanisation continues to put pressure on cities across the state. Principal Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, represented Odisha at a national-level workshop on Affordable Housing organised by NITI Aayog on Tuesday.
The workshop brought together senior officials and policymakers from across the country to discuss practical solutions to challenges related to land availability, housing supply, and access to financing.
Focus on Urban Housing Challenges
During the workshop, participants highlighted how fast-growing urban populations are increasing the demand for affordable homes, especially for economically weaker sections and low-income groups. Limited land availability, rising construction costs, and lack of sustainable financing models were identified as major hurdles.
To address these issues, NITI Aayog released a detailed report titled “Comprehensive Framework to Promote and Enable Affordable Housing”. The report lays out a structured approach to improve housing supply through land reforms and financial innovations.
Key Recommendations from NITI Aayog
The framework proposes several measures to make affordable housing projects viable and scalable. These include land aggregation models to bring together fragmented land parcels, creation of land banks, and development of transparent land inventory systems to ensure better planning and efficient use of urban land.
On the financing side, the report recommends the establishment of State-level Shelter Funds, along with fiscal tools and innovative funding mechanisms, to support affordable housing projects and reduce dependency on traditional financing alone.
Odisha’s Commitment to Implementation
Speaking at the workshop, Usha Padhee said Odisha is keen to move beyond policy discussions and translate national recommendations into practical, ground-level action. She emphasised that the state is already working on strengthening Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) projects and sees the NITI Aayog framework as a valuable guide.
The Odisha government plans to adapt the suggested models to suit local conditions, keeping in mind land availability, urban growth patterns, and housing needs in different cities and towns.
State-Level Action Plans in the Pipeline
Following the workshop, Odisha’s delegation will prepare context-specific action plans to strengthen affordable housing initiatives across the state. These plans will focus on improving access to land, streamlining approval processes, and exploring new financing options to attract both public and private participation.
Officials said the goal is to ensure that affordable housing projects are not only financially viable but also delivered on time to meet the needs of urban residents.
Supporting Inclusive Urban Growth
The state government believes that affordable housing is a key pillar of inclusive urban development. By aligning its housing policies with national frameworks and adopting innovative approaches, Odisha aims to provide safe, affordable, and dignified housing to all sections of society.
The participation in the NITI Aayog workshop marks another step in Odisha’s efforts to strengthen urban infrastructure and improve the quality of life for its growing urban population.
