Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has initiated steps to convert vacant government buildings into affordable rental housing units as part of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0, aiming to address housing needs of the urban poor and migrant workforce.
The Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department has directed various state departments to identify unused or underutilised government buildings that can be repurposed into rental housing. Where existing structures are unsuitable, new housing units may be constructed, including through public-private partnership (PPP) models, officials said.
The rental housing initiative is targeted at urban poor families, migrants, industrial workers, and working women, groups that often struggle to access affordable accommodation in rapidly growing urban centres.
Funding for the project will be provided under the PMAY-U 2.0 scheme of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). Initial rent levels will be fixed by local urban authorities, with provisions for revision once every two years, ensuring affordability while maintaining sustainability.
Officials said the move would help optimally utilise public assets, reduce pressure on informal settlements, and improve living conditions for vulnerable urban populations.
-OdishaAge
