Under its Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban scheme, the government has launched a scheme to build Affordable Renting Housing Complexes (ARHCs). ARHCs will be a mix of at least 40 dwelling units and dormitories, with basic infrastructure amenities, such as sanitation, sewage, water, electricity, and roads. They also have a proper social and commercial infrastructure for migrant workers and urban poor of EWS or LIG categories.
ARHCs: Key facts
| Type of dwelling units | Carpet Area (in square meters) | Unit structure | Ratio under ARHCs |
| Single Bedroom | Up to 30 | One bedroom, one living room, one kitchen, one washroom, | According to the project requirements, the ratio may be different in every case |
| Dormitory | Up to 10 | Separate bed. side table, shelves, lockers, common kitchen, and washroom | According to the project requirements, the ratio may be different in every case |
| Double bedroom | Up to 60 | Two bedrooms, one living room, one kitchen, two bathrooms. | A maximum of 33% (one-third) of dwelling units in the project is permissible as ARHCs |
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ARHCs: Objective
ARHCs plan on offering decent accommodation to the poor at a very affordable price. Under this scheme, the government aims to construct houses on vacant lands. This scheme will cover all statutory towns, areas of development, special area development, notified planning areas, and industrial development areas. ARHCs will be supervised by respective states and ULBs, and have a project period of 25 years from the date of commencement.
ARHCs: Key highlights
| Name of the scheme | Affordable Renting Housing Complex Scheme 2021 |
| Launched by | Narendra Modi |
| Worked under | The Central Government of India |
| Main objective | Provide housing at a reasonable rate |
| Year | 2021 |
| Beneficiaries | The weaker sections of society |
| Official website | http://arhc.mohua.gov.in/ |
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The categories of people that can benefit from the scheme include Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Low Income Group (LIG), industrial workers, migrants, rickshaw pullers, market and trade associations, hospital workers, hospital sector employees, students, basic service providers, educational institution workers, health institution employees, long-term tourists, and other vulnerable sections.
To benefit from the scheme, you just need a valid Aadhaar card or any other government-approved identification documents. You can stay in an ARHC as per the contract with the concessionaire or entity.
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Listed below are the states and union territories that are becoming a part of ARHCs in 2021:
- Andhra Pradesh
- Kerala
- Himachal Pradesh
- Assam
- Chandigarh
- Karnataka
- Nagaland
- Meghalaya
- Odisha
- Haryana
- Madhya Pradesh
- Bihar
- Punjab
- Mizoram
- Uttarakhand
- Gujarat
- Rajasthan
- Puducherry
- Sikkim
- Uttar Pradesh
- Tamil and Nadu
- Daman and Dieu
- Tripura
- Telangana
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All the houses constructed under this scheme will use eco-friendly and disaster-resilient technologies approved by CPWD, BMTPC or MoHUA. Emerging technologies, such as EPS core panel systems, monolithic concrete systems, precast prefab concrete construction systems, sandwiched panel systems, glass fiber gypsum panel systems, and hybrid systems, will be adopted. The planning and designing of ARHCs should be within the framework of ARHCs guidelines and provisions of the National Building Code and Local Development Control Rooms.
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Benefits of ARHCs
- Decent living environment for urban poor and migrant workers.
- Sustained workforce and increased productivity
- Economically productive use of government-funded vacant houses
- Strengthening of municipal finances
- Effective use of vacant lands by private and public entities
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Eligibility
To be able to benefit from this scheme, you must meet the following criteria:
- Your annual household income should be in between Rs 3-6 lakhs.
- You must belong to the EWS or LIG category.
- You must be a resident of India and be above 18 years of age.
- PMAY-U beneficiaries, who do not own a house in the same city and are migrant laborers, are also eligible.
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How to log in for ARHCs?
Step 1: Visit the official website of ARHCs at http://arhc.mohua.gov.in/.
Step 2: Select the LOGIN option on the Main Navigation Menu on the home page.
Step 3: Type your username and password.
Step 4: With captcha verification, verify your identity.
Step 5: Click on Login.
If the details you have entered are correct, you will be successfully logged in to ARHCs.
How to register for ARHCs?
You can easily register for the scheme through the official website of ARHCs. Follow the steps listed below to do the same:
Step 1: Open the official website of ARHCs at http://arhc.mohua.gov.in/. The home page will open.
Step 2: Click on the Register option on the Main Navigation Menu.
Step 3: A new page will open. Here, click on Register.
Step 4: This will lead you to the application form. Here, fill in your personal details.
Step 5: Verify your identity with captcha verification.
Step 6: Click on Submit.
How to check the progress report of ARHCs?
Step 1: Open the official website of ARHCs at http://arhc.mohua.gov.in/. The home page will open.
Step 2: On the Main Navigation Menu, click on Dashboard.
Step 3: Select the Progress Report option from the drop-down box and then click on MoA signed.
Step 4: The next page will show you the complete list of states and union territories that have signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the implementation of ARHCs.
How will ARHCs be implemented?
ARHCs will be implemented through the following two models:
Model 1: Vacant government-funded houses will be converted into affordable rental housing complexes under Public-Private Partnership.
Model 2: Private or public entities will construct, operate, and maintain affordable rental housing complexes on their own vacant lands.
Details of government-funded houses
| S. no. | State/Union territory | Number of houses available for ARH |
| 1. | Arunachal Pradesh | 752 |
| 2. | Chandigarh | 2,195 |
| 3. | Delhi | 29,112 |
| 4. | Gujarat | 7,715 |
| 5. | Haryana | 2,545 |
| 6. | Himachal Pradesh | 255 |
| 7. | Karnataka | 1,731 |
| 8. | Madhya Pradesh | 364 |
| 9. | Maharashtra | 32,345 |
| 10. | Nagaland | 664 |
| 11. | Rajasthan | 3,790 |
| 12. | Uttar Pradesh | 5,232 |
| 13. | Uttarakhand | 377 |
| 14. | Jammu and Kashmir | 336 |
| Total | 87,413 |
Features of the ARHCs Scheme
- Affordable rental housing
Around 1.3 lakhs government-funded houses across the country will be allocated to the beneficiaries and will be converted into rental housing complexes.
- Concession agreements
The conversion of houses into rental complexes will be done through concession agreements. States and union territories will invite bidders to choose concessionaires. They will repair the houses by renovating the rooms and filling infrastructural gaps, such as septage, water, sanitation, road and electricity.
- Special incentives to entities
Several incentives will be given to private or public entities to develop and operate ARHCs, and they are as follows:
- Concessional Project Finance under Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) and Private Sector Lending (PSF).
- Some relief in tax and GST on any profit and gains from ARHCs.
- Single window approval of ARHC within 30 days.
- Trunk infrastructure up to the project site.
- Municipal charges are at par with residential property.
- ‘Use Permission’ changes, if needed.
- 50% free additional FAR (Floor Area Ratio) and FSI (Floor Space Index).
Also read FAR full form and all about Floor Space Index (FSI)
Technology innovation grant
Under this scheme, an expenditure of Rs. 600 crores will be provided to the projects for construction by using identified innovative technologies.
Special preference
Special preference will be given to individuals belonging to Scheduled Tribes (STs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), widows and working women, and the differently-abled.
Significance of the ARHCs Scheme
- Creation of a new ecosystem
This scheme will result in creating a new ecosystem in urban areas. It will provide affordable housing close to the workplace and will cut down any extra and unnecessary congestion, travel, and pollution.
- Generate employment
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, innumerable people have lost their jobs. Investment in ARHCs will create new job roles and opportunities.
- Investment opportunities
The ARHCs plans on constructing houses on vacant lands, which will create a conducive environment for entities. This would further lead to new investment opportunities and promote entrepreneurship in the rental housing industry.
Links available on the ARHC website
- Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban
- Global Housing Technology Challenge
- Credit-linked Subsidy Awas Portal
- Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council
- National Housing Bank
- Housing and Urban Development Corporation
- National Buildings Construction Corporation
FAQs
How can I check the progress report of ARHCs?
To check the progress report of ARHCs, visit the official website of ARHCs, click on the Dashboard option on the Main Navigation Menu, select the Progress Report option from the drop-down box, and then click on the MoA button. The next page will show you the complete list of states and union territories that have signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to implement ARHCs.
What is the contact information to inquire about ARHCs?
Email: minister-mohua@nic.in Phone number: 011-23063495, 23061162, 23061162, 23062089 (Fax)