Revisions likely to delay the TN urban housing policy
Posted on: 02/Jan/2020 9:51:03 AM
World Bank has suggested some revisions and as a result of this, the Tamil Nadu Urban Housing Policy would be delayed. It is well known that the final draft of this policy was submitted last year.
To help with the policy’s finalization, the World Bank had engaged a consultant now. On 16th December 2019, the state government grabbed the attention of many when it issued a GO for appointing a committee that would associate with the consultant for the purpose of finalising the housing and habitat plans. Housing secretary would be the chairperson and under him, there would be eleven- member committee.
For the sake of implementing 500million USD TN Housing and Habitat Development for Urban Poor project in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts, the World Bank team held discussions with GCC, TNHB, TNSCB other department officials.
It is important to note that World Bank has decided to change the financing method from Investment Project Financing (loans provided for activities that create physical and social infrastructure to reduce poverty and create sustainable development) to Development Policy Loan (funds rapidly disbursed to help state address actual or anticipated development financing needs and promote policy reforms).
For the purpose of understanding the current housing scenario and formulate the draft Urban Housing and Habitat Policy of TN, GIZ or German Agency for International Co-operation, an international enterprise owned by the German Federal government, had appointed Ernst and Young agency. Temple lands would be developed plus institutional lands and defunct public sector unit’s lands would also be developed and this was according to the policy that is on the verge of completion.
In the city of Chennai alone, 1630 acres of lands would be needed to build houses under the Affordable Housing in Partnership.
With its various departments, the state government has been identifying surplus lands for the purpose of transferring the lands to the TNSCB for building homes for the homeless who do not own any land. For all the land assets of the government, there are plans to initiate a Geographic Information System based land database that would be updated on a regular basis.
