Bhubaneswar: With housing emerging as a fundamental human need and a critical driver of inclusive urban development, the Government of Odisha has intensified its focus on expanding access to safe, dignified and affordable housing, particularly in the face of rapid urbanisation and rising demand.
While the Government of India continues to advance the vision of “Housing for All”, States across the country are grappling with challenges related to land availability, housing supply and financing. Odisha mirrors these national trends, prompting the State Government to place renewed emphasis on Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) projects to meet the growing urban housing needs.
Against this backdrop, Principal Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha, Usha Padhee, along with Mission Director, Odisha Urban Housing Mission (OUHM), Subhananda Mohapatra, participated in a national-level workshop on Affordable Housing organised by NITI Aayog in New Delhi on December 23, 2025.
During the workshop, NITI Aayog released its report titled “Comprehensive Framework to Promote and Enable Affordable Housing”, followed by in-depth deliberations and brainstorming sessions involving State representatives, policymakers, sector experts and industry stakeholders.
The high-level discussions were attended by senior dignitaries including Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA); Kuldip Narayan, Joint Secretary and Mission Director (Housing for All), MoHUA; Rajiv Gauba, Member, NITI Aayog; and Anna Roy, Programme Director, Managing Urbanisation, NITI Aayog.
The framework released by NITI Aayog outlines practical and actionable solutions to address land-related challenges through measures such as land aggregation models, creation of land banks and development of transparent land inventory systems. It also recommends innovative financing mechanisms, including State-level Shelter Funds and other fiscal tools, to overcome constraints in affordable housing supply.
Speaking on the occasion, Usha Padhee said that affordable housing remains central to building inclusive, resilient and future-ready cities. She noted that the NITI Aayog framework offers a comprehensive roadmap for States to tackle land and financing challenges. “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,” she said.
