Govt Launches ARHC Portal Under PM Awas Yojana

On Wednesday, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri said that numerous incentives/benefits including free FAR (floor area ratio), concessional project Finance, trunk infrastructure facilities free of cost amongst others are a part of a scheme for Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs) for urban migrants/ poor under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U).

At the launch of the ARHC portal, Puri said that the initiative has been taken up to provide dignified and affordable living spaces to varied groups of urban migrants/ poor including industrial & construction workers, migrants working with market/trade associations, educational/health institutions, hospitality sector, long term tourists/ visitors, students etc.

The portal: arhc.mohua.gov.in, was launched via a webinar by the minister on Wednesday.

What are ARHCs?

As part of the Modi government's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, ARHCs were permitted in July as a sub-scheme under PMAY-U to provide ease of living to urban migrants/poor.

The scheme will be implemented through two models:

1. Utilizing existing Government funded vacant houses to convert into ARHCs through Public-Private-Partnership or by public agencies for a period of 25 years.

The scheme provides an opportunity for all States/UTs to convert their existing vacant houses constructed under various Central/ State Government schemes into ARHCs. A model RFP has been shared with all States for customisation and issuance by them to select a concessionaire.

2. Construction, Operation and Maintenance of ARHCs by Public/ Private Entities on their own available vacant land for a period of 25 years.

A large portion of available vacant land is lying unutilized with various Industries, Trade Associations, Manufacturing Companies, Educational/ Health Institutions, Development Authorities, Housing Boards, Central/ State Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and other such Entities, the Housing Ministry said. By providing with appropriate policy support, enabling suitable provisions and incentives, these available vacant lands can be utilised effectively for developing affordable housing facilities to migrants/ poor. Further, the government will issue Expression of Interest (EoI) for shortlisting of Entities by ULBs to Construct, Operate and Maintain ARHCs on their own available vacant land.