Shelter
Shelter is a housing planning chapter issued by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority for the Chennai Metropolitan Area. It assesses housing demand and proposes policies for low income housing, slum rehabilitation, fishermen housing, basic services, land development and coordinated housing action plans.
What the chapter covers
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority's Shelter chapter describes housing conditions and projected demand across the Chennai Metropolitan Area. It records a housing gap of about 36,000 units in 2001 and identifies concerns including kutcha and semi-pucca homes, one-room dwellings, pavement dwellers, slums and housing needs in coastal fishing settlements.
The chapter projects total housing demand of 1,237,482 units by 2026. Economically Weaker Sections are assigned 30 percent of projected demand and Low Income Groups 35 percent. The Fisheries Department estimated an additional requirement of 42,543 fishermen housing units by 2025.
Who may be affected
The proposed policies are relevant to private and public housing developers, landowners undertaking large residential projects, urban and rural local bodies, slum households, pavement dwellers, fishing communities and buyers seeking lower income housing.
The principal public bodies identified are the Tamil Nadu Housing Board and the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board. Private builders, corporate builders, individuals and cooperative institutions are also recognised as housing stakeholders.
Key policies and strategies
- Private housing neighbourhoods and apartment developments on land exceeding one hectare are proposed to reserve and develop 10 percent of the land for Low Income Group and Economically Weaker Section housing.
- Reserved dwellings must not exceed 45 square metres and may be provided within the development or within a radius of 2 kilometres.
- New lower income housing and slum rehabilitation may be provided through composite or special neighbourhoods, built homes or affordable serviced sites.
- Shelter programmes are to include infrastructure, tenure security, health, education, livelihood support, skill training and microfinance.
- Housing should be close to employment centres. Where it is located farther away, nearby employment locations should be encouraged.
- Pavement dwellers should receive affordable housing opportunities, preferably near their current locations.
- Fishermen housing should be facilitated close to work sites through coordination among the Fisheries Department, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board.
- Housing is not encouraged on high-value agricultural land and is prohibited on environmentally unsuitable land.
- Government land should be identified, documented and protected against encroachment.
Implementation and monitoring
The plan sets apart land for new housing in different sectors of the Chennai Metropolitan Area. A Shelter and Infrastructure Committee of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, with government, non-government and expert representation, is proposed to monitor implementation and meet at least once every three months.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Does a private housing project have to provide lower income housing?
The chapter proposes that private housing neighbourhoods and apartment blocks on land exceeding one hectare reserve and develop 10 percent of the land for Low Income Group and Economically Weaker Section housing.
Can the reserved lower income housing be provided outside the project site?
Yes. The proposed housing may be within the development site or at a location within a radius of 2 kilometres, with dwelling units not exceeding 45 square metres.
Does the chapter address unapproved layouts without basic services?
Yes. It proposes suitable regulation to merge unapproved layout areas into the urban fabric and permit construction on those plots, while recognising the need for water supply, sanitation and proper access roads.
Which agencies are responsible for fishermen housing?
The chapter states that fishermen housing is handled by the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board and the Fisheries Department. It also proposes coordination with the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority to facilitate housing close to fishing work sites.
