Real estate sector always come up with innovative way to secure your investment. Buying a home is dream of common man and affordable housing has made dream come true. “Affordable housing” is a term used to describe dwelling units whose total housing costs are deemed “affordable” to those that have a median income.
Affordable housing denotes the basic human need for a comfortable home that offers value for money and cost is relative to the amount that the buyer can afford. Experts here suggest that homes costing no more than five times the buyer’s annual income can be considered affordable.
According to a Planning Commission Report, the urban housing shortage as in March 2007 was around 24.71 million and it will increase to 26.5 million by 2012. Ninety-nine per cent of this shortfall in housing is with regard to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Low-Income Groups (LIG) which contributes to squatting and slum formation. Apart from the existing shortfall, the increasing urban population, which is expected to reach 576 million in 2030 from the current figure of 328 million, will add to the affordable housing demand.
Some developers have either shifted to affordable home projects or made some change in project to make their existing project fit for affordable home. If you already own a house, investing in a second property may not be a bad idea. You can get tax benefit on your second home. Buy a second house that meets your needs, available finances and lifestyle. The economic slowdown is proving to be a blessing in disguise for the common man, especially as far as housing is concerned.
Lower interest rate, construction cost and easy home loan makes investing or buying affordable home easy.The future of affordable housing for the next few years to come is indeed bright. Energies of all stakeholders are focused in the right direction to meet a common goal. Public-private partnerships will be a vital tool and the way forward to address affordable housing.
