Affordable Housing: An Appraisal of User’s Perception, Case Delhi NCR

Urbanization is associated with the economic success that brings with it strong developmental and environmental changes. However, urban sprawl can often be detrimental to the sustainable development of the cities, due to the resultant urban stress that translates into housing shortages, inadequate facilities, and unhygienic living conditions, adversely affecting the livability, sense of stability, and dignity of the people. Poor living conditions affect the social and mental health and well-being of the masses, thereby affecting the growth and development of the cities and communities. Under the current Affordable Housing policy in India, Economically Weaker Sections, Lower Income Groups, and Middle-Income Groups are the target households covered under the scheme. The study establishes the disparity in living conditions across the three income groups, with the EWS group subjected to adverse living conditions, despite government initiatives. The housing solutions being developed and offered to households are neither consumer-centric nor adequate to promote a decent quality of life. In other words, one kind of informal slum is being replaced by another kind of formal slum. A more sensitive, and user-centric approach is recommended to be integrated into the policy framework to ensure sustainability in the housing sector and achieve UN SDGs, especially SDG 11.