The New Nation - Internet Edition

REAL estate firms took part at the REHAB Fair held recently. The Adviser in charge of the Ministry of Communication, Housing and Public Works, in course of his address, urged the concerned quarters to ensure the availability of low-price houses for the lower income and middle-income groups of people without further delay. The Fair 2008 was designed to showcase activities in the field of housing and also to project the schemes of housing estates to be implemented in the coming years. The fair was designed to attract the attention of buyers of flats in new projects, coming from among the middle-income and low income groups of people. It is worth noting that members of the REHAB have so far implemented development projects in different areas.

Apparently, the needs of the middle income and lower-income groups of people have not so far been brought within the fathom of activities of the developers. The multi-storied buildings, so far developed in the city and elsewhere in the country, have not been tuned to the needs of such families. Over forty percent of the urban people belong to the poor and lower income groups. They live in slum areas and are found sharing rooms.

It is worth noting, that majority of the people in the lower income group work as day labourers or vendors in the city. They may be attracted to buy flats sizes ranging from 400-500 square feet at prices kept at affordable levels. It may be difficult to construct high-rises exclusively for poor income group people. Housing developers may consider earmarking portions of such buildings for making small flats that middle income and poor people would be able to buy with housing loans having long repayment arrangements.