Affordable housing in Dubai needed urgently

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: Affordable housing in Dubai needed urgently Affordable housing in a city like fast-growing Dubai is not only a matter of prime importance but a social responsibility of the authorities. This would not only check the undue high density/overcrowding in certain areas of living but would help even distribution of population and balance growth of the town. The idea of private public participation (‘Private role for a public dilemma’, 7DAYS, Jan 11) is the demand of the day. To further this idea to percolate in reality, there is a need to bring about a regulation in this direction at the earliest. All the private developers should be asked to earmark a certain number of units of affordable housing, say, 10-15% of total annual budget either valuewise or number wise of their plan for high ended housing. The authorities may also extend their help by way of contribution by earmarking certain area of land/plots allotments in a planned manner to spread the affordable housing in an even manner, at a concessional rates for such affordable housing projects by the private builders. The criteria for allotment of such housing could be regulated based on gross income of the allottees with strict regulation for quality and completion time. Certain restrictions for the minimum period for sale of such housing should be imposed to ensure utilisation for right purpose and to control speculation. In this way a good number of affordable housing projects could be developed over a period and in a planned manner with the help and governance of Dubai authorities and private sector investments. Karin, Dubai Read the original story at: Affordable housing in Dubai needed urgently