Group Housing: The affordable housing plan

Saying that Group Housing is a new term in real estate would be unfair but yes with the popularity of apartments, townships, penthouses etc. on the rise, group housing is a less used term in common parlance. The reason is that people want privacy and group housing meets your basic need of shelter but without giving you the comforts of amenities which you can call your own. Population density of a particular area is the foremost governing factor behind the development of group housing because higher is the density, the availability of basic amenities for the masses will be a challenge and thus creeps in the idea of developing group houses. Thus, while Group Housing Architecture gives you the luxury of living in an independent home, it takes away the comforts of being independent.

What is the definition of Group Housing?

Group Housing Introduction is a building constructed with multiple floors which have more than one dwelling unit on every floor and they share the common service facilities. To accommodate a larger section of people in a particular area, Group Housing Concept projects are developed so that the demand for housing can be met. The residential projects under this category are built on the land parcel of 10-25 acres and depending on the data released by urban planners regarding the population density of a particular area, the approving authority of the state sanctions the land for the development of Group Housing in India Projects. Group housing projects were initially built by welfare housing organizations like Indian Railways, but now DLF, India Bulls etc have started venturing into these housing projects as well.

What are the limitations of a group house?

Standardization and loss of privacy account for the biggest imitation of a group house. There is a set house design with the fixed area for the parking lot, green space, the number of houses to be built per acre etc. The amenities offered are nothing exceptional and don’t enhance your social standing.

Which is a better investment option-Group house or Township?

Depending on how much you can afford and what is your definition of a house, you can differentiate between a group house and a township. While a group house will meet your need for a home, a township goes much beyond that. Starting right from having facilities like schools, health spas, shopping malls etc in the area, the townships add flamboyance and opulence to your stature and give you the luxuries you have always wished for. A group house, on the other hand, fails to deliver this.

Unlike the case of Group Housing Scheme where the government monitors the development of the project and there is a concept of preferred allotment to the economically weaker sections as well, townships do not come under any such purview. There is nothing called preferred land allotment in the dictionary of townships. Having said this, the end product which the customer gets is far more impressive and appealing because there is minimal intervention and everything is left for the developer to decide.

When it comes to making an investment in a group house or a township, an investor needs to consider the rebates and penalties attached to both the schemes. In case of group housing if the flats are completed within the stipulated time then a concession of 10% on the price of the land is given and in case the construction is not completed within 5 years then extension fees are charged. This is the privilege that comes attached by investing in a group house.

While both have their own merits and demerits, it is left to the affordability and requirements of the user to pick what suits the budget and needs!