Affordable housing.

THE World Bank will support the Punjab government develop a housing policy to improve access to affordable housing for low-income groups as part of the province's broader post Covid-19 economic recovery effort. Although provision of low-cost homes has been the cornerstone of the PTI's election manifesto, housing and infrastructure development have acquired greater importance in the wake of an economic recession as the revival of construction activity, once the pandemic subsides, can help drive growth in 40 or so connected industries. According to some estimates, the construction of 100,000 housing units in the country can increase GDP by around 2pc. Additionally, the construction industry is the largest employer of skilled and unskilled workers after agriculture. Thus, promotion of a sustainable housing supply will help mitigate risks like climate change, public health and inadequate infrastructure investment arising from unplanned urban expansion. The project can help the province find housing solutions to address barriers on the supply and demand side of the housing value chain, and serve as a model for other provinces.

Increasing supply of affordable housing for low- to middle-income groups has been on top of the agenda of almost every political party since the 1970s. Successive governments - both federal and provincial - have not only invested in public housing schemes but also have, from time to time, given...