The latest housing lottery by MHADA in Mumbai, intended to offer affordable homes, has raised concerns due to a significant increase in property prices. Out of 2,640 flats, only about 145 are reserved for the economically weaker section (EWS), and even these are priced at nearly INR 49 lakh or more.
Homes for the low-income group (LIG), which were previously available between INR 25–50 lakh, have now become much more expensive, with prices ranging from around INR 55 lakh to over INR 2 crore. In prime areas like Worli, some flats exceed INR 2 crore, making them far beyond the reach of the intended beneficiaries.
This sharp price rise has created a mismatch between income eligibility and affordability, as families with modest monthly incomes may struggle to secure loans for such costly homes.
Although MHADA’s goal is to provide no-profit housing for lower-income groups, increasing construction costs and pricing policies have made these flats less accessible, leading to fears that they may either remain unsold or be purchased by higher-income buyers instead.
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