Bhubaneswar, October 24:Odisha has showcased its integrated approach to affordable urban housing, combining beneficiary assistance, policy reforms, development incentives and rental housing solutions to address the gap between housing demand and supply. The State’s initiatives were highlighted during a session on“Affordable Housing – Demand & Supply Dynamics” at the 2nd National Urban Conclave 2026 in Bhubaneswar.

Speaking as a panellist, Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha, outlined the State’s multi-pronged strategy to expand access to safe and affordable housing, particularly for economically weaker sections and vulnerable urban households. She emphasised the need to address both demand-side barriers and supply-side constraints through financial assistance, enabling policy frameworks and diversified housing models.

A key initiative highlighted wasPMAY-Urban BANDHU (Beneficiary Assistance for Nurturing Development of Housing Units), with an allocation of ₹1,615 crore over five years. The initiative aims to strengthen the affordable housing ecosystem through viability support for housing projects, assistance and incentives for construction workers, and proposed housing credit assistance for eligible households. It also seeks to address the housing needs of landless families and households inadequately covered under existing provisions, while promoting affordable, rental and transit housing.

The presentation highlighted a range of housing models adopted in Odisha, including mandatory affordable housing provisions in developer projects, market-based incentives, dedicated affordable housing projects, in-situ slum redevelopment, relocation, beneficiary-led construction and rental housing. These interventions are designed to cater to households with different financial capacities and housing requirements while increasing the availability of affordable homes across urban areas.

Under the beneficiary-led construction model, approximately 1.4 lakh houses have been completed and occupied across urban Odisha. Affordable housing projects and in-situ slum redevelopment initiatives have also helped families access secure housing in major cities. To further expand housing options, rental housing retrofitting projects in Rourkela, Dhenkanal, Paradip and Jharsuguda are being supported under BANDHU, providing additional accommodation options for migrant workers and other mobile urban populations.

Padhee also outlined policy reforms aimed at lowering housing costs and encouraging greater participation by developers and other stakeholders in affordable housing. These include substantial reductions in stamp duty and registration charges for eligible homes, mandatory provisions for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Low-Income Group (LIG) housing, and development incentives through additional Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and Transferable Development Rights (TDR). Reforms relating to rental housing and provisions for reserving land for affordable housing in Master Plans and Development Plans were also highlighted.

Another important initiative discussed was the proposed BHUMI (Bank of Land for Housing & Urban Masterplan and Infrastructure) framework. The framework envisages the creation of a dedicated land bank supported by a GIS-based land inventory, a nodal mechanism for land allocation and dedicated financial arrangements to facilitate housing and urban infrastructure development. The draft policy is under process and is proposed to be placed before the Cabinet for approval.

The session was moderated by Kumar Ravikant Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. The other panellists were Mohammed Shayin, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary, Housing for All Department, Government of Haryana; N.K. Patel, Chairman, NAREDCO Gujarat; Pankaj Motwani, Managing Director, Motwani Constructions; Soumendu Chatterjee, Senior Executive Director, ANAROCK Property Consultant; and Kiran Avadhanula, Senior Urban Sector Specialist and Lead, Sustainable Urban Development, KfW Development Bank.

Odisha’s presentation highlighted the importance of an integrated and inclusive approach to urban housing that brings together beneficiary support, policy reforms, private sector participation and planned land availability. Through these complementary interventions, the State aims to narrow the housing demand–supply gap, expand access to secure and affordable homes, and promote more inclusive and sustainable urban development.