Delhi govt unveils new slum rehabilitation policy, 5 lakh families to get permanent homes

The Delhi government on Thursday announced a new slum rehabilitation policy aimed at providing permanent housing to nearly five lakh families living in jhuggi-jhopri (JJ) clusters across the national capital, in what Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described as a major step towards ensuring dignified living conditions for economically weaker sections.

The Delhi Slum and Jhuggi Jhopri Relocation and Rehabilitation Policy, 2026, notified in the Delhi Gazette on November 4, replaced earlier rehabilitation guidelines and established a new framework for redevelopment, eligibility verification, housing allotment and maintenance.

The government estimated that approximately four to five lakh families, comprising nearly 20 lakh people, could benefit from the initiative, which covered around 675 slum settlements across Delhi.

The policy extended the eligibility cut-off to January 1, 2025, bringing more households within the scope of rehabilitation, subject to verification and other prescribed conditions.

Chief Minister Gupta said the initiative would accelerate the government's 'Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Makan' programme and provide permanent housing along with essential social infrastructure.

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻-𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Under the new policy, eligible families would preferably be rehabilitated at their existing settlement sites or within a three-kilometre radius to minimise disruption to employment, education and social networks.

However, the policy also permitted relocation elsewhere in Delhi where nearby rehabilitation was not feasible because of land availability, planning restrictions, safety concerns or other constraints.

Beneficiaries would be allotted one-bedroom flats with a minimum carpet area of 25 square metres, comprising a bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom, toilet and balcony.

The government said rehabilitation complexes would include basic infrastructure and community facilities such as schools, Anganwadi centres, healthcare centres and children's playgrounds.

The redevelopment programme would be implemented through government agencies and public-private partnerships, with private developers expected to participate in constructing housing and associated infrastructure.

𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱

The revised framework provided rehabilitation eligibility to qualifying households in settlements established before January 1, 2025, subject to documentary verification.

Applicants would have to be Indian citizens aged at least 18 and satisfy the prescribed residence and electoral-roll requirements.

They would also have to submit qualifying documents establishing their residence before the cut-off date.

The policy excluded households owning a permanent residential property elsewhere in India, along with certain categories of serving and retired government employees.

It also introduced provisions to consider separate families occupying different floors of the same slum structure, provided they independently met the eligibility requirements.

The government maintained that the revised criteria would address difficulties faced by families who had been excluded under earlier rehabilitation rules.

𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝗥𝘀 𝟮 𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗵

Under the notified policy, eligible beneficiaries would have to contribute Rs 1.5 lakh towards alternative housing and another Rs 50,000 towards a common-area maintenance fund covering the first five years.

Residents would also be responsible for applicable electricity, water, property tax and other charges.

The government would provide for the maintenance of common infrastructure, essential services and security arrangements for five years from the first allotment. Thereafter, beneficiary associations would participate in managing common facilities.

Housing units would be allotted through a computerised draw of lots to promote transparency. A grievance redressal and appeals mechanism would also be established to address disputes over eligibility and allotment.

The policy stated that eligible residents could not claim a dwelling unit as an unconditional right. However, qualifying dwellings could not be demolished before alternative accommodation had been allotted to eligible occupants.

𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱

The government proposed a centralised geographical information system-based digital platform to monitor rehabilitation projects, maintain beneficiary records and prevent duplicate allotments.

For projects implemented through public-private partnerships, developers would be responsible for arranging temporary accommodation or rental assistance for families displaced during redevelopment.

They would also have to ensure the availability of basic services during the construction period.

The framework sought to make rehabilitation projects financially viable by involving private developers while using available land for housing and essential public infrastructure.

𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱

The announcement followed earlier directions issued during a high-level review meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in June.

At the meeting, Shah had directed the Delhi Development Authority and Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board to accelerate rehabilitation projects through public-private partnerships.

The Centre had also called for tenders for at least five rehabilitation projects every month.

The Delhi government had subsequently initiated redevelopment planning for 17 slum settlements in Seelampur, Sultanpuri and Lajpat Nagar, covering approximately 4,870 dwelling structures.

The latest notification provided a formal policy framework for implementing such projects across the capital.

The government said the initiative was intended not merely to replace temporary shelters with permanent flats but also to provide access to sanitation, healthcare, education and other essential facilities.

The success of the programme would depend on beneficiary verification, land availability, project execution and the ability of eligible families to meet the required financial contributions.