NEW DELHI - To tackle the country’s serious shortage, estimated at nearly 25 million, the government will now focus on affordable housing by involving the private sector, said Housing and Urban poverty Alleviation Minister Kumari Selja.

With 97 per cent of this shortage in Low Income Group (LIG) and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of the society, need is for a sustainable, equitable and socially inclusive development plan which will involve and cater to housing to the Weaker Sections.

“Our major focus will be on construction of affordable housing for poor and middle class people across the country by involving the private sector,” she said.

Assuming charge of the ministry for the second time, Selja said that the private sector is also recognising the growing demand for affordable housing.

“Notwithstanding the economic slowdown our efforts will be to put major thrust in the housing sector as our goal is that everybody should have access to affordable housing. We are moving towards that goal,” she added.

Two schemes have been launched in the first quarter of 2009 to encourage states to provide urban land at affordable costs for housing and also to reduce the cost of credit for housing for the poor.

Referring to the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the flagship programme of the Government which focuses on developing an integrated approach to the basic services for the urban poor, she said equal emphasis would be placed to facilitate the flow of institutional funds for affordable housing.

“Our budget allocation has also been increased from Rs 2500 crore to RS 3300 crore in this fiscal for carrying out the various programmes providing better amenities to people in cities,” she added. (ANI)