Big bold ideas that can change public or affordable housing in our cities
India’s urban housing crisis is well-known. Millions live in slums and jhuggis. The housing paradox in Mumbai and Delhi, now increasingly seen in other cities too, means there is a high shortage of affordable homes and a glut of high-priced vacant houses. Influencing change in this framework calls for de-commodifying housing, audacity in land pricing, and ensuring that the state comes good on its statutory role rather than let private developers have a free run. Easier said than done but, as a few international cities show, it is possible.