The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) has issued a key clarification on eligibility for upper-floor residents seeking inclusion in its housing scheme. Officials have stated that individuals submitting affidavits to qualify for Affordable Rental Housing Units (ARHU) must obtain certification from the ground-floor occupant, and their claims will be considered valid only if the ground-floor unit itself meets eligibility norms.
The move comes amid a surge in applications from upper-floor residents relying on affidavits—classified as the lowest-priority form of documentation under the Government Resolution dated October 4, 2024—to establish their eligibility for rental housing outside the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Under the redevelopment framework, residents who have lived in Dharavi between 2011 and November 2022 are eligible for approximately 300 sq ft housing units offered on a hire-purchase basis. Beneficiaries can either pay in instalments over 25 years or opt for a one-time payment before ownership is transferred.
Officials clarified that while affidavits are accepted, they must be verified by the ground-floor resident. Additionally, the ground-floor dwelling itself must qualify under the project’s eligibility criteria for the upper-floor claim to be considered.
Authorities also noted that in cases where multiple households claim residence within subdivided upper-floor units, affidavits alone will not be sufficient. Applicants will be required to submit stronger supporting documents, such as electricity bills, address proofs, or other higher-priority records.
The clarification follows instances where eligibility provisions were reportedly misused. Officials reiterated that upper-floor occupants are eligible only under the rental housing scheme and not for free rehabilitation units under the Dharavi redevelopment initiative.
Source: The Indian Express
