MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) is implementing stricter verification measures for divorced applicants in its 2024 housing lottery, aiming to curb misuse and ensure accuracy in applications.
Starting this year, individuals claiming divorce status will be required to present a formal court decree or family court final settlement document when applying for the lottery. According to MHADA officials, the move addresses concerns that many applicants declare themselves as divorced, only for it to be discovered later that their divorce proceedings are still ongoing. This adjustment is part of broader efforts to refine the lottery process and prevent discrepancies that have surfaced in previous years.
Presently, eligibility for MHADA housing is determined by family income, with different categories available based on annual earnings. Applicants with a family income of up to INR 6 lakh qualify for the Economic Weaker Section (EWS), those earning between INR 6 lakh and INR 9 lakh are eligible for the Lower Income Group (LIG), while those with incomes ranging from INR 9 lakh to INR 12 lakh can apply under the Middle Income Group (MIG). Higher income brackets, above INR 12 lakh, fall into the High Income Group (HIG) category.
The new policy mandates that applicants claiming divorce must submit a court-issued decree or a final settlement document, which will now be compulsory. This requirement, however, will vary depending on the applicable laws and religious guidelines, as noted by a senior MHADA official. The MHADA lottery for 2024 includes a total of 2,030 affordable homes, spanning various categories and locations.
The offerings include high-end HIG flats priced between INR 1 crore and INR 7.58 crore, situated in prominent areas such as Tardeo, Goregaon, Malad, Borivali, Mulund, and Juhu. Notably, the priciest unit, located in Tardeo, is valued at INR 7.57 crore and features over 1,500 sqft of space with a sea view and proximity to Mahalaxmi Racecourse. MHADA commenced accepting applications on August 9, with the deadline set for September 4 at 11:45 pm. As of August 11, over 1,200 applications have been submitted. Results for the lottery are scheduled to be announced on September 13 at 11 am. Interested applicants can submit their entries via the MHADA mobile application, accessible through MHADA’s official website, where they can register and apply for their preferred apartments.
