LOW COST HOUSING

Abstract

Low Cost Housing is a new concept which deals with effective budgeting and following of techniques whichhelp in reducing the cost construction through the use of locally available materials along with improved skillsand technology without sacrificing the strength, performance and life of the structure. There is huge misconception that low cost housing is suitable for only sub standard works and they are constructed by utilizing cheap building materials of low quality. The fact is that Low cost housing is done by proper management of resources. Economy is also achieved by postponing finishing works or implementing them in phases. Now inlow cost housing, building material cost is less because we make use of the locally available materials and also
the labour cost can be reduced by properly making the time schedule of our work. Cost of reduction is achieved by selection of more efficient material or by an improved design. The sustainability can be defined as meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations. Low Cost housing has the potential to produce good quality housing at a price that is affordable both in the short and long term. Thus, Low Cost housing must aim at economic, social and environmental sustainability from planning to implementation phase and at the same time result in housing that is affordable, accessible and environmentally less damaging . The National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy-2007 intends to promote sustainable development of habitat in India with a view to ensuring equitable supply of land, shelter and services at affordable prices to all sections of society . However, the Ministry of Housing defines affordable housing based on revenue, size and several costeffective measures. For economically weaker sections, affordable housing would mean a unit gauging between 300 and 500 sq.ft with pricing below Rs 5 Lakh for which one can pay Rs. 4,000- Rs. 5,000 as EMI. For midincome groups, an entity between 500 and 600 sqft with pricing upto Rs 7 Lakh – Rs 12 Lakh for which an EMI of Rs. 5,000- Rs. 10,000 is required to be paid as EMI would be regarded as low cost housing. It covers the use of local materials in the different components of building to make the building low cost and it makes affordable houses for low income people. Owing a house for low income and middle income is becoming a difficult. Hence, it has become a necessity to adopt cost effective, innovative and environment-friendly housing technologies for the construction of houses and buildings for enabling the common people to construct houses at affordable cost. This paper compares construction cost for the traditional and low cost housing technologies. Low cost housing refers to those housing units which are affordable by that section of society whose income is below than median household income. This depends on three key parameters—income level, size of dwelling unit and affordability. This paper aims to point out the various aspects of predestined building methodologies by highlighting the different available techniques, and the economical advantages achieved by its adoption. In a building the walls, floors and roofs are the most important sections, which can be analyzed distinctively based
on the needs, thus, improving the speed of construction and reducing the construction cost. This paper also aims to cover the use of local materials in the different components of building to make them as low cost available solutions for low income groups.