India’s Real Estate Boom Masks Affordable Housing Crisis

POLICY WIRE — New Delhi, India — India’s property market has demonstrated significant growth across various sectors. According to recent data, the take-up of shopping center — and warehouse...

Editorial Desk

August 4, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — New Delhi, India — India’s property market has demonstrated significant growth across various sectors. According to recent data, the take-up of shopping center — and warehouse space reached record highs last year. In the first half of this year, office leasing volumes rose to their second-highest level for the period on record. new flat sales in the eight largest cities delivered one of the strongest half-yearly performances in 12 years.

Despite this robust growth, a critical gap remains in the provision of affordable housing. While commercial and high-end residential properties flourish, the demand for affordable housing continues to outstrip supply. This disparity highlights a pressing need for policy intervention to address the housing needs of lower-income populations.

The institutional investment market, though the least liquid among the sectors, has also shown signs of increased activity. However, the focus remains predominantly on high-return investments, further exacerbating the affordable housing shortage.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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