CONSTRUCTION COSTS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN KERALA: RELATIVE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE VARIOUS ELEMENTS OF COSTS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS

Construction of houses and other residential buildings is of utmost significance in India today because housing sector is a national priority. Moreover, the Government being mandated to ensure ‘Affordable Housing for All by 2022' is providing different incentives and budgetary support for the promotion of housing development in the country, particularly housing for the lower income segments of the population. Cost effective housing construction without compromising on quality is vital, and so is the need for close monitoring of the housing construction costs. This paper makes a closer look into the various elements of housing construction costs with a focus on ‘Affordable Housing' projects. It studies the relative significance of the cost elements and allies aspects makes policy suggestions.