Tamil Nadu government faces funding, land challenges to implement Amma Shelter Fund

Guidelines are being framed for Amma Shelter Fund, a dedicated fund to finance affordable housing projects, Shambhu Kallolikar, managing director of Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board, has said.

CHENNAI: Guidelines are being framed for Amma Shelter Fund, a dedicated fund to finance affordable housing projects, Shambhu Kallolikar, managing director of Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board, has said.

With the focus squarely on fulfilling the housing needs of all, the senior official said, there is a challenge to find funding. He said there was a reluctance on the part of financial institutions to fund housing projects intended for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Low Income Groups (LIG) since they doubted repayment.

Calling for an alternate funding arrangement, Kallolikar said, “Amma Shelter Fund will be a dedicated fund that can be accessed by both private and government institutions to build affordable houses.”  The officer was speaking at a panel discussion, ‘Is Tamil Nadu ready for affordable housing’, organised as part of ‘Expanding Metropolis’, a two-day property exhibition.

Express had earlier reported on the plans for TN government to float the special fund. Stating there was a requirement for massive funding and land, Kallolikar said, “We have to build 1.4 million houses in the State, for which we are conducting a survey.”

“In Chennai alone, we have worked out after a survey that 1.2 lakh houses under EWS category have to be built. This requires a minimum 1000 acre land space.” For this purpose, we are now surveying all government land, he added.

He said steps are in place to facilitate developers to do projects for EWS and LIG sections. “Floor Space Index has been increased for developers. Also, we are  coming up with a single window system, where all approvals can be obtained within 45 days as per the citizen charter. ”

Survey  underway

Calling for an alternate funding arrangement, Kallolikar said, “Amma Shelter Fund will be a dedicated fund that can be accessed by both private and government institutions to build affordable houses for weaker sections. We have to build 1.4 million houses, for which we are conducting a survey.

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