A home run for workers? Daman & Diu’s SPARSH 2.0 opens more rental space

Finding affordable rental housing can be a challenge for workers and other economically weaker sections. To expand access to such housing, the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu administration has introduced the Scheme for Promotion of Affordable Rental Smart Housing (SPARSH 2.0), which offers incentives to housing complex owners and developers for building or redeveloping affordable rental homes.Implemented by the Labour & Employment Department of the UT Administration of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, the scheme relaxes several construction norms and offers benefits such as additional Floor Space Index (FSI), higher ground coverage, commercial-use flexibility and other regulatory relaxations. In return, eligible housing complexes must reserve at least 66% of their dwelling units for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) beneficiaries.Applicable across Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Diu from 2022 to 2027, SPARSH 2.0 also aims to encourage public and private investment in affordable rental housing, improve workers’ health and well-being, boost industrial productivity and reduce their financial burden from treatment costs and wage loss. It also seeks to improve workers’ happiness and quality of life while harmonising the Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHC) Scheme guidelines with the SPARSH Scheme.So, what does SPARSH 2.0 offer, who can apply and what conditions must housing complexes meet?What is SPARSH 2.0?The scheme seeks to encourage the development and redevelopment of affordable rental housing infrastructure for workers, labourers, urban poor and other weaker sections.Under its vertical for incentivising the development or redevelopment of housing complexes and residential spaces for the urban poor, construction norms are relaxed for eligible SPARSH 2.0 housing complexes. Registered complexes become eligible for further scheme incentives and benefits, while the registration process provides for annual monitoring and compliance verification.What benefits does the scheme offer?Eligible housing complexes can avail several construction and regulatory relaxations.Each housing complex under SPARSH 2.0 is entitled to:Additional 50% of the applicable FSIAdditional 20% ground coverageRelaxations in setbacks or abutting road size, as determined by the concerned authority through applicable rules or bye-lawsUse of 20% of permissible ground coverage for commercial or business purposes, except in the Green Zone and notwithstanding other zone, road-width or area provisionsThe concerned authority can also regularise existing housing complexes if they fall within the relaxed guidelines prescribed under the scheme. The concerned Revenue Departments will prioritise applications for NA for construction of such housing complexes.Which housing complexes can apply?The proposed construction must either be registered under the Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHC) Scheme or fulfil the prescribed SPARSH 2.0 conditions, except condition (g), along with having all other valid permissions required under law. The applicant must belong to Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu and must be the owner or authorised representative of the housing complex.The complex must fulfil SPARSH 2.0 infrastructure norms and possess a valid construction permission and/or occupancy certificate. Applicants must also agree to reserve at least 66% of dwelling units for EWS beneficiaries and maintain the housing complex and its waste management systems.How can applicants register?The owner or authorised representative has to first obtain Form A prescribed under the scheme.The applicant must fill in the form and attach all required supporting documents before submitting the completed application to the concerned officer designated by the Secretary, Labour, for the respective district.The nodal officer will verify the application within 30 days. Technical verification may also be carried out through the Associate Town Planner or another competent authority.After successful verification, the nodal officer will issue the Registration Certificate in Form B and execute an agreement with the owner as prescribed under the scheme.FAQs: SPARSH 2.0 explainedWhat is the objective of SPARSH 2.0 and where does it apply?The scheme aims to encourage the development and redevelopment of affordable rental housing complexes for the urban poor by relaxing construction norms and incentivising eligible owners and developers. It applies across Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Diu from 2022 to 2027. Applicants must belong to Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu and be the owner or authorised representative of the housing complex.What additional construction benefits does SPARSH 2.0 offer?Eligible housing complexes are entitled to 20% additional ground coverage. The scheme also allows relaxations in setbacks or abutting road size, as determined by the concerned authority.Can commercial activities be carried out in the housing complex?Yes. Except in the Green Zone, 20% of the permissible ground coverage may be used for commercial or business purposes.How long does the application process take?The nodal officer is required to verify the application within 30 days. Technical verification may also be undertaken by the Associate Town Planner or another competent authority.What happens after an application is approved?Following successful verification, the nodal officer issues a Registration Certificate in Form B and executes an agreement with the owner as prescribed under the scheme. Registered housing complexes are also subject to annual monitoring and compliance verification.Ready to Make a Smarter Property Decision? Build Your Legacy with TOI Homes.