Haryana moots new housing policy for the elderly

Pradeep Sharma 
Tribune News Service 
Chandigarh, November 9 

The Haryana Government is considering a “retirement housing policy” to cater to the state’s elderly population, an official said on Monday.

Haryana government’s new draft policy that moots new retirement homes says such projects must have an elaborate safety and security mechanism inside the residential complex, including medical services, fitness facilities, safety measures such as installation of CCTVs, senior citizen-friendly kitchens and bathrooms and ramps and staircases. Besides, the promoter must provide common dining facility, parks and adhere to occupancy norms for retirement homes and dormitory/hostel.

Additionally, only retirement home projects registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) can be sold.

Besides, the promoter must provide common dining facility, parks and adhere to occupancy norms for retirement homes and dormitory/hostel. It will also be mandatory for the promoter to file an annual report containing the list of occupants and facilities provided to the Monitoring Committee to be chaired by the Deputy Commissioner.  

 “With an ever-increasing ageing population and the increasing trend of nuclear families, there is an emergent need for development of commercially-viable  and professionally-managed  retirement housing,” K Makrand Pandurang, Special Secretary, Town and Country Planning, said about the draft policy. 

Pandurang said the senior citizens living in such retirement projects were likely to be vulnerable to harassment, breach of contract and violation of their basic rights by the developers operating these projects.

”Hence, there is need for a policy for regulated development  of retirement housing projects to address to address the needs of the senior citizens, who are able and willing to pay for such accommodation, services and facilities,” Pandurang  said. 

What to expect in retirement homes 

*Medical services and fitness facilities 

*Installation of CCTV cameras, other security gadgets. 

*Senior citizen-friendly kitchens and washrooms. 

*Common dining facility, parks. 

*Apartments, dormitory/hostel facility.