Mumbai: The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has reserved 33 out of 2,030 affordable housing units in Mumbai for sitting and former Members of Parliament (MP) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in its 2024 lottery. These units, distributed across various income groups, highlight the ongoing intersection of politics and public housing.
Under the provisions of the MHADA Act, approximately 2% of the total homes available in the lottery are earmarked for elected officials. The 33 reserved units are spread across prime Mumbai locales including Vikhroli, Byculla, Santacruz, Chembur, Andheri, Kurla, Goregaon, Powai, Malad, and Wadala. This reservation aims to cater to the housing needs of legislators and their predecessors, providing them access to some of the city’s most sought-after residential areas.
Aside from the reserved quota for MPs and MLAs, the lottery also includes allocations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), freedom fighters, individuals with disabilities, artists, journalists, and general category applicants. The MHADA lottery process commenced on August 9, with applications closing on September 4 at 11:45 PM. The results are scheduled for announcement on September 13 at 11:00 AM.
Since the application period began, MHADA has recorded over 3,500 submissions, with more than 2,000 applicants having completed the earnest money deposit (EMD) process. An official from MHADA indicated that while the initial application numbers are promising, the majority of entries are expected to be submitted in the final days leading up to the deadline. The 2023 lottery saw over 100,000 applications, and a similar response is anticipated this year.
The housing units in the 2024 lottery are priced between INR 29 lakh and INR 7.58 crore, with the high-end apartments catering to higher income groups priced above INR 1 crore. The priciest unit is a sea-facing apartment in Tardeo, South Mumbai, valued at INR 7.58 crore. Spanning over 1,500 sq ft, this ready-to-move property boasts panoramic views of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse and represents the pinnacle of luxury in the current offering.
