A rental housing policy has been drafted by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), with a view to creating affordable housing opportunities for the economically weaker sections. The draft is expected to be completed within a month and will then be placed before the state government for clearance.
The move has been considered crucial in view of the steep rise in property prices in Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai, where ownership has been pushed out of reach for low-income families. Although MHADA’s annual lotteries have continued to attract strong demand, the number of available flats has remained limited. It has been acknowledged that rental housing could play a vital role in bridging this gap.
The proposed framework has been designed to include rules for allotment, rent slabs, and responsibilities for property upkeep. Participation has been planned for both MHADA-led projects and private developers, thereby increasing the range of rental options for residents unable to purchase homes. The measure has been aligned with the Union government’s vision of shaping MMR into an international growth hub, where employment and education opportunities are projected to draw large numbers of new residents.
At the same time, group redevelopment projects have been undertaken across Mumbai. MHADA colonies and cess-based structures are being redeveloped with the objective of creating additional housing stock, while also providing existing residents with larger homes and improved open spaces. These initiatives have been promoted as steps towards a more sustainable and balanced urban landscape.
The much-anticipated annual housing lottery has been shifted from Diwali 2025 to March–April 2026. The delay has been attributed to an inadequate supply of ready flats, including about 2,500 units from the Patra Chawl project, which had remained on hold due to environmental clearances. With approvals now granted, construction work is being resumed. In addition, the scheduling has been adjusted in light of upcoming civic elections and the enforcement of the model code of conduct.
In the digital space, MHADA has introduced an AI-powered chatbot known as “MHADASathi.” This service has been made available on the authority’s official website and has been designed to provide simplified, interactive access to information for citizens, lottery winners, and tenants of cess-based buildings. Details regarding housing projects, allotments, and maintenance responsibilities can now be accessed more easily.
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