Affordable Housing
Full Form of AFH
What is AFH?
Affordable Housing (AFH) refers to housing units that are affordable to households with incomes below the median, typically ensured through government subsidies, reduced interest rates, or regulatory frameworks. In India, AFH is a central pillar of urban development policy, most notably under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) launched in 2015, which aims to provide 'Housing for All' by 2022. The term is used extensively by policymakers, real estate developers, and financial institutions to designate projects that meet specific cost and size criteria set by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. AFH is invoked in discussions on slum rehabilitation, affordable rental housing, and credit-linked subsidy schemes. Exam relevance: AFH frequently appears in UPSC Civil Services, state PCS, and banking exams as part of questions on social welfare schemes, urban governance, and economic inclusion. Understanding AFH helps candidates analyze government interventions in housing shortages and their impact on vulnerable populations. The term also connects to concepts like floor space index (FSI), affordable housing fund (AHF), and the role of housing finance companies (HFCs) in enabling homeownership for low-income groups.
AFH का फुल फॉर्म
किफ़ायती आवास
Example
The Prime Minister reviewed the progress of the AFH scheme under PMAY-Urban and directed states to expedite completion of stalled projects.