Every year, thousands of hopefuls aim to fulfil their lifelong dreams of owning a desired and affordable home in Maharashtra. This dream of theirs is aided by government bodies such as the Maharashtra Housing Board, more commonly known as Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA).
Naturally, if you are looking for affordable housing in Maharashtra, you might be interested in the Maharashtra Housing Board (MHB) scheme. The MHB is a government agency that provides low-cost housing to the applicants belonging to the following categories: economically weaker sections, lower income groups and middle-income groups of the state. The MHB also undertakes slum rehabilitation and redevelopment projects to improve the living conditions of the urban poor. According to Magic Bricks, around 7.5 lakh families have been provided with affordable housing under the scheme over the last 10 years!
In this blog, we will explain how the MHB scheme works, how to register and apply for it, and what are the benefits and eligibility criteria of the scheme.
How Does the Maharashtra Housing Board (MHB) Scheme Work?
The MHB scheme works on the principle of demand-driven supply. This means that the MHB does not construct houses on its own, but invites private developers to participate in the scheme and provide housing units as per the demand of the applicants. The MHB acts as a facilitator and regulator between the developers and the applicants, ensuring that the quality, price and location of the houses are suitable for the target groups.
The MHB scheme is divided into four categories based on the income level of the applicants:
- Economically Weaker Section (EWS): For those whose annual household income is up to Rs. 6 lakh.
- Lower Income Group (LIG): For those whose annual household income is up to Rs. 9 lakh.
- Middle Income Group (MIG): For those whose annual household income is up to Rs. 12 lakh.
- High Income Group (HIG): For those whose annual household income is above Rs. 12 lakh.
The MHB also reserves a certain percentage of houses for various categories such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Persons with Disabilities, Women, Ex-Servicemen, etc.
Maharashtra Housing Board Scheme: Registration and Application
The registration and application process for the MHB scheme is online and simple. Here are the steps to follow:
- Go to the website of the MHB/MHADA at https://housing.mhada.gov.in/landing
- Click on the "Start Now" button and fill in your PAN No.
- Complete your verification process and authenticate your Aadhar card.
- You will then be asked to upload all the relevant documents required for the application. Upload them correctly.
- Next, verify the uploaded documents.
- Next, e-sign the Self-Declaration to submit your registration.
- Next, you will have to start the application process. Return to the website and click on “Apply Now”.
- Select the city and location where you want to buy a house under the MHB scheme.
- Choose from the available projects and housing units offered by the developers under the MHB scheme.
- Pay a registration fee of Rs. 500 + GST through online mode.
- You will also have to pay the EMD, i.e., a deposit for your housing application. It ranges from Rs. 10,000 for EWS PMAY category to Rs. 1.5 lakhs for the HIG category applicants.
- Submit your application and take a printout for reference.
What are the Benefits and Eligibility Criteria of the MHB Scheme?
The benefits of the Maharashtra Housing Board scheme are:
- You can get a house at a subsidised rate as per your income level and preference.
- You can avail a home loan at a concessional interest rate from various banks and financial institutions under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme.
- You can get a subsidy of up to Rs. 2.67 lakh on your home loan interest under the PMAY scheme.
- You can get a quality house with basic amenities such as water supply, electricity, sewage system, etc.
- You can get a secure tenure and ownership of your house.
The eligibility criteria of the Maharashtra Housing Board scheme are:
- You must be a citizen of India and a resident of Maharashtra for at least 15 years.
- You must not own any pucca house in your name or in the name of any member of your family in any part of India.
- You must not have availed any benefit under any other housing scheme of the central or state government.
- You must have a valid Aadhaar card and PAN card.
- You must have a bank account in any nationalised or cooperative bank.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the Maharashtra Housing Board scheme is a great opportunity for those aiming to find their dream affordable residence in the state of Maharashtra and its various cities such as Mumbai. So, research diligently about the scheme and its various processes and keep the above-mentioned information in mind for a successful registration.
