The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority Lottery 2026 for 2,640 affordable homes in Mumbai has recorded a lower response compared to previous years, with officials attributing the trend partly to the high proportion of under-construction apartments and pricing concerns among buyers.
According to MHADA data, the housing authority has received 65,082 applications so far, of which 43,637 applicants have submitted the mandatory earnest money deposit (EMD). In comparison, the MHADA lotteries conducted in 2023 and 2024 had each attracted more than one lakh applications. No lottery was conducted in 2025.
Officials stated that the application process remains open until May 14, while EMD payments can be completed until May 15. “Going by the past trends, there is a spike in the number of applications in the last few days. Hence, we should wait until the last date,” a MHADA official said.
Several applicants said buyer sentiment has been affected because nearly 66% of the apartments on offer are still under construction. Out of the total inventory, 1,762 apartments are under-construction units located mainly in areas such as Vikhroli, Goregaon and Borivali.
“Most of the apartments are under construction, and the pricing is relatively high compared to similar homes available in the open market,” said a Mumbai-based homebuyer.
Another applicant said the slower momentum in the broader housing market has also impacted interest in the scheme. “The private housing market is already witnessing slower sales momentum, and that sentiment is reflected in the MHADA lottery response as well. For me, the biggest drawback this year is the under-construction factor. If I have to buy an under-construction apartment, I would rather choose a private developer offering better discounts than participate in the MHADA lottery,” he said.
In April, MHADA announced a 7.5% price reduction for 1,221 apartments in Kanamwar Nagar and Vikhroli East, covering nearly 46% of the total homes offered under the lottery.
The housing scheme includes apartments across locations such as Vikhroli, Goregaon, Borivali, Chembur, Bandra, Powai, Dadar and Wadala. The costliest apartment under the lottery is a High Income Group unit in Tardeo priced at Rs 6.82 crore, while the cheapest EWS unit in Mankhurd is priced at over Rs 29 lakh.
Source: Hindustan Times
