Apna Ghar Apni Chhat: A Gateway To Affordable Housing Solutions – OpEd
On August 14, 2024, the Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is set to inaugurate a new initiative named the “Apni Chat Apna Ghar Scheme.” This scheme is designed to support those who cannot afford their own homes, especially in the current challenging economic climate characterized by high inflation and rising prices of goods.
The “Apna Ghar Scheme” offers a ray of hope to middle-class and low-income families in Punjab by providing houses on easy installments with a very low down payment. Under this plan, individuals aspiring to own a home can benefit by paying a monthly installment of 26,000 Pakistani rupees, with the payment plan spanning five years. A total of 519 kanals of land has been allocated for the construction of thesehouses, with the Punjab Chief Minister emphasizing the importance of minimizing construction costs.
This project is unique in that the house designs will be developed through a collaborative effort between the Government of Punjab and the Pakistan Council for Architects and Town Planners. All houses will follow the same design and infrastructure, ensuring uniformity across the development. The project will be executed in phases, with the first phase seeing the construction of 5,000 apartments near Raiwind Road in Lahore.
The government aims to provide a total of 100,000 apartments across six cities, with each unit costing 1.5 million Pakistani rupees. To be eligible for the “Apni Chat Apna Ghar Scheme,” applicants must be residents of Punjab, belong to a low-income family with an income of less than 60,000 Pakistani rupees, and be government employees who do not already own a home.
The government of Punjab will provide a 60% subsidy for these homes, leaving the buyers to pay only 40% of the total cost.
Conclusion:
The “Apni Chat Apna Ghar Scheme” is a crucial initiative aimed at addressing the housing challenges faced by middle-class and low-income families in Punjab. By offering affordable housing with substantial government subsidies, this scheme provides a practical solution for those struggling to secure their own homes in the face of economic difficulties.
