Amid India’s rapid urbanisation and the pressing need for “Housing for All,” Odisha is intensifying its efforts to address challenges in land availability, housing supply, and financing.
The state government is prioritising Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) projects to provide safe and dignified homes to urban residents.
In a significant step forward, Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development Department, along with Subhananda Mohapatra, Mission Director of the Odisha Urban Housing Mission (OUHM), represented Odisha at a high-level national workshop on Affordable Housing hosted by NITI Aayog in New Delhi on December 23, 2025.
The workshop featured the launch of NITI Aayog’s pivotal report, “Comprehensive Framework to Promote and Enable Affordable Housing”* This was followed by in-depth discussions involving representatives from various states, policymakers, experts, and industry leaders.
Key participants included Shri Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA); Kuldip Narayan, Joint Secretary & Mission Director (Housing for All), MoHUA; Rajiv Gauba, Member, NITI Aayog; and Anna Roy, Programme Director, Managing Urbanisation, NITI Aayog.
The newly released framework proposes practical measures such as land aggregation models, establishment of land banks, and transparent inventory systems to unlock land for housing. It also advocates innovative financing options, including State-level Shelter Funds and other fiscal tools, to overcome supply-side constraints.
Highlighting Odisha’s commitment, Usha Padhee stated: “Affordable housing is central to building inclusive, resilient, and future-ready cities. The framework released by NITI Aayog provides a comprehensive roadmap for States to address challenges related to land and financing. Odisha will proactively work towards translating these recommendations into actionable strategies, strengthening Affordable Housing in Partnership projects, and ensuring that urban housing remains accessible and affordable for all sections of society.”
Following the deliberations, the Odisha delegation is set to develop tailored action plans based on the workshop insights, further bolstering the state’s affordable housing initiatives.
