Learning and Knowledge Exchange on Affordable Rental Housing Models
An exposure visit for officials from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and representatives from various state governments was organised in Tamil Nadu on 5th and 6th January 2026. The two-day programme focused on Tamil Nadu’s initiatives in Affordable Rental Housing, Rental Housing for Industrial Workers, and Working Women’s Hostels, offering participants first-hand insights into policy frameworks, project implementation models, and operational best practices.
The visit highlighted Tamil Nadu’s development framework and its successful Public-Private Partnership (PPP) approach in delivering inclusive and sustainable rental housing solutions. The programme combined interactive technical sessions with site visits to operational housing facilities. The programme began with an introductory session outlining the objectives of the exposure visit and an overview of the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Fund Management Corporation (TNIFMC) and the Tamil Nadu Shelter Fund (TNSF). Senior officials and technical experts conducted sessions on Tamil Nadu’s industrial housing and working women’s hostel models. These sessions covered project conceptualisation, institutional roles, and the integration of public and private sector participation in housing delivery. Followed by an interactive question-and-answer session, enabling participants to discuss implementation challenges and share experiences from their respective states.
The sessions featured interactions with senior officials, including:
• Mrs Catherine Saranya, I.A.S., Executive Director – SIPCOT
• Mrs Sharanya Ari, I.A.S., Managing Director – Tamil Nadu Working Women’s Hostels Corporation (TNWWHCL)
• Mr Krishna Chaitanya, CEO – TNIFMC Limited
• Mr Sathanbabu Mathankumar, CFA, Fund Manager – Tamil Nadu Shelter Fund (TNIFMC Limited)
• Officials from the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board
The participants visited operational industrial housing facilities at Vallam Vadagal, facilitated by SIPCOT, and the Working Women’s hostel at St Thomas Mount. These site visits offered exposure to project design, construction standards, facility management practices, and tenant service mechanisms. Participants engaged with project teams to understand on-ground challenges and the solutions adopted for smooth operations. The visits enabled officials to observe how Tamil Nadu’s housing solutions cater specifically to the needs of working women by providing safe, affordable, and well-managed accommodation.
The exposure visit facilitated meaningful cross-state knowledge exchange, enabling discussions on policy frameworks, innovative financing mechanisms, and operational models for rental housing. Participants explored how Tamil Nadu’s experience in structuring projects through PPP models and institutional collaboration can be adapted and replicated across other states. These initiatives significantly contribute to national housing objectives and foster the development of inclusive urban infrastructure for industrial workers and working women throughout the country.