The promise of prefab was healthy, cost-effective, energy efficient homes designed by talented architects. Is it finally here?

EcoDomum is turning an environmental problem into a housing solution.

How to provide housing for the masses getting out of poverty and out of slums in the developing world, without creating sprawl? Argentine architects propose attaching new homes to existing structures.

This is a housing form that we should be building a lot more of.

Get mortgage help. This is why. MakingHomeAffordable.gov :60

What's the best way to figure out how to use a new product? Have a competition!

The economic free fall from Covid-19 is taking its toll on what had been strong housing demand just a few months ago.

April Coolidge used to work in real estate but now she makes more money driving a truck than she ever did selling houses.

How Housing Finance Companies Sanction home loan to Salaried person?

Bollywood actors Vicky Kaushal and Rajkummar Raos housing complex here has been partially sealed after an 11-year-old tested positive for COVID-19. The complex in Mumbai's Andheri area is home to Bollywood actors including Vicky, Rajkummar and Patralekhaa, and Chitrangda Singh.

The child is the daughter of a director who resides in the C-wing of the complex, prompting the BMC to partially seal the A and B wings and also sanitise the entire complex, reports timesofindia.com. The residents of the complex have reportedly been asked to follow strict quarantine rules and take extra precautionary measures to contain the spread of the infection.

Over the past weeks, reports have stated that several buildings of film and television actors, including actress Ankita Lokhande's, were also sealed after confirmed positive COVID-19 cases were found in the area. Bollywood personalities who have been hospitalised after testing COVID-19 positive so far are producer Karim Morani, his daughters Zoa and Shaza Morani, and singer Kanika Kapoor. All of them have been discharged after recovering.

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news

The Shiv Sneh Co-operative Housing Society in Pratiksha Nagar, Sion, has been dealt another blow as the much-needed building repair work has come to a halt twice in past few months. The repairs initially came to a halt last September, when the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative Bank (PMC) found itself in trouble. The society had R85 lakh in its Sion branch, which they haven't received yet. In March, when the society once again started the repair work using funds from their other bank account, it had to be stopped due to the lockdown over the COVID-19 spread as Pratiksha Nagar is in the red zone. Now with the work pending, the residents are worried about their fate this monsoon.

Kashinath Rokade, secretary of the society said, "We have been told that pre-monsoon work can be started, but are awaiting for the lockdown to be called off after May 17, and the contractor has assured us he will get the waterproofing done within two to three weeks, with some interior work. The painting of exterior building can be done post monsoon."

The 166 (flat and commercial shop) owners attached to the four wings (A,B,C,D) of the building were all set to abide by the structural consultants audit report and promptly floated bids calling in for tenders, which took almost four to five months of hard work starting February 2019. Finally they zeroed in on the contractor, M/s Viswakarma Civil Constructions, Kalwa, Thane and selected them to carry out repairs, civil work including waterproofing and painting work for a total consideration of approximately R52 lakh, as per their tender, explained society chairman Mahesh Adate.

Rokade showing the state of the repairs in October 2019

Repairs were on
Adate added, "The building was to undergo repairs for the first time since it was handed over to the society by MHADA in 2008 and since then office bearers were collecting repair funds under monthly maintenance of approximately R1,800 from members. A huge corpus of nearly R85 lakh, in the form of Fixed Deposits and other savings, were in the society's name with the PMC, Sion branch."

The society had even issued work order to M/s Viswakarma paying an advance of R5 lakh, as against the contract signed. Since August 15, the scaffoldings were put across the building structures, and work of removing old plaster was in process. As per the contract the entire work was to be completed within four months time period.

Adate added, "Most of the occupants in the building (nearly 80 percent) are working class people which include senior citizens, who have been residing her for over a decade."

According to Adate, MHADA had issued a lottery for this MIG (Middle Income Group) way back in 2005 for a consideration of R10 lakh - R11 lakh including stamp duty and registration, where each flat is around 450 sq feet carpet and commercial outlets allotted admeasuring 150-160 sq feet (Carpet). In 2008, MHADA handed over the building to the society and since then the society has been collecting funds for repairs.

PMC scam shocking
Adate said, "We were taken by surprise, when we learnt about the abrupt directives from RBI putting restrictions on PMC bank. We had to arrange for funds, as the contractor had already sent a letter seeking clearance of additional fund for carrying out the work, and we were left in the lurch."

When asked why the society does not have any other bank account, besides the one with PMC bank and Maharashtra Co-operative Bank, the society office bearers said, "We have always been told that under the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, housing societies should mandatorily have accounts only with co-operative banks, hence we abided by the rules. Also our society accountant had no problem banking with PMC, everything was going on smoothly, till last week."

When informed that society accounts can be opened in nationalised banks too, they said, "We are ready to open a new account with a nationalised bank, provided PMC transfers all our society funds there."

When asked how they will finish the remaining payment, Adate added, "We will have to start taking contributions from members. Also we have not got any response to the legal notice issued to PMC Bank on behalf of our society. We may contemplate taking the matter to the consumer court against PMC Bank."

He said that nearly 25 societies in Pratiksha Nagar have deposited money with PMC bank and the whole figure may be in crores of rupees.

Expert speak
Senior property lawyer Vinod Sampat said, "The Reserve Bank of India has been forced to take drastic action against PMC bank, this will result in a financial cut to be taken by each of the societies who had deposited their funds. As far as legal action by the affected cooperative society against PMC bank goes, I am afraid that the provisions of the banking regulation act will supersede it and the financial losses, being caused to it (the society)."

"The need of the day is that harsh laws be framed, whereby doing a wrongful act is made as a deterrent to persons who fail to perform their duty with criminal intent. Punishment should be awarded by courts in a short span of time in such financial frauds, so that a strong message is sent out. The law should not remain a paper tiger," he added.

Rs 85 lakh
What the society's account in PMC Bank holds

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news

India's GST Council has decided on a number of goods and services tax regime amendments to boost the availability of affordable housing in the country.

Ashiana Housing Limited has informed the Exchange regarding 'Submission of Compliance Certificate under Reg 54 (5) of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirement) Regulations, 1996 for the Quarter ended 31st March......

Company: P & I Management Consultants
Experience: 0 to 50
location: India, Ludhiana
Ref: 24681302
Summary: Job Description: Job Description • Effectively plan and manage logistics, warehouse, transportation and customer services in Hosiery/Garments. • Direct, optimize and coordinate full order execution cycle. •....

Why Are People So Stupid, In Concern To Solving The High Price Housing Crisis in China, and Around the World?

By: Mr. Dominic Jermano

American-China/Foreign Affairs...

New Zealand’s economy has stabilised, with solid growth supporting well-being through jobs and incomes. Ongoing implementation of the government’s new well-being approach to policymaking will offer further opportunities to create a more sustainable and inclusive economy for all New Zealanders, according to a new report from the OECD.

Canada has experienced solid economic growth since the global crisis, allowing it to reverse recession-induced job losses and put federal public finances on a sound footing, says the OECD. Growth is expected to accelerate from 2.5% this year to 2.7% in 2015.

Local housing markets are presently highly disparate in Canada. While in most smaller localities real estate prices are fairly stable and not out of line with the fundamentals (incomes and rents), 10 of the 15 large Census Metropolitan Areas monitored by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) show signs of overvaluation, and seven show moderate or strong evidence of overbuilding.

Canada is one of the OECD economies delivering the best outcomes for its citizens, especially in regards to self-reported well-being, personal security and health status. Canada is also undertaking several programmes to foster inclusive growth – with respect to childcare benefits, gender equality and social housing.

Cpi Housing Utilities in Somalia remained unchanged at 103.88 points in March from 103.88 points in February of 2020. Cpi Housing Utilities in Somalia averaged 105.28 points from 2018 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 109.28 points in November of 2018 and a record low of 101.76 points in June of 2019. In Somalia, Housing, Water, Electricity & Gas accounts for 23 percent of total Consumer Price Index (CPI). This page provides - Somalia CPI Housing & Utilities- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

CPI Housing Utilities in Iraq increased to 116.30 points in January from 114.20 points in December of 2019. CPI Housing Utilities in Iraq averaged 114.53 points from 2015 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 120.20 points in September of 2017 and a record low of 109.50 points in May of 2015. This page provides - Iraq Cpi Housing & Utilities- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Cpi Housing Utilities in Gambia remained unchanged at 100.24 points in March from 100.24 points in February of 2020. Cpi Housing Utilities in Gambia averaged 172.88 points from 2011 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 216.06 points in December of 2019 and a record low of 100 points in January of 2020. This page provides - Gambia Cpi Housing Utilities- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Cpi Housing Utilities in Burundi increased to 124.40 points in January from 122.40 points in December of 2019. Cpi Housing Utilities in Burundi averaged 51.55 points from 1993 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 124.40 points in January of 2020 and a record low of 6.70 points in October of 1993. This page provides - Burundi Cpi Housing Utilities- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

CPI Housing Utilities in Portugal increased to 109.15 points in March from 109.12 points in February of 2020. CPI Housing Utilities in Portugal averaged 55.81 points from 1977 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 109.15 points in March of 2020 and a record low of 4.59 points in January of 1977. This page provides - Portugal Cpi Housing & Utilities- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Housing Index in South Africa increased to 544.47 Index Points in November from 539.71 Index Points in October of 2016. Housing Index in South Africa averaged 127.55 Index Points from 1966 until 2016, reaching an all time high of 544.47 Index Points in November of 2016 and a record low of 3.62 Index Points in January of 1966. The Absa house price indices are based on the total purchase price of homes in the 80-400 Sq. meter size category, priced at ZAR 4,2 million or less in 2015 (including improvements), in respect of which mortgage loan applications were received and approved by Absa. This page provides - South Africa Housing Index- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Housing Index in Brazil increased to 129.80 points in March from 129.50 points in February of 2020. Housing Index in Brazil averaged 124.59 points from 2012 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 130.27 points in February of 2017 and a record low of 100 points in June of 2012. The FipeZap housing index in Brazil measures the changes in average prices of properties in 25 Brazilian municipalities, such as Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Distrito Federal, Salvador, Fortaleza, Recife and etc. This page provides - Brazil Housing Index- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Housing Index in Canada increased to 104.10 points in March from 103.80 points in February of 2020. Housing Index in Canada averaged 68.04 points from 1981 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 104.10 points in March of 2020 and a record low of 37.70 points in May of 1983. In Canada, New Housing Price Index (NHPI) measures changes over time in the contractors' selling prices of new residential houses, where specifications of each house remain the same between two consecutive periods. . This page provides - Canada New Housing Price Index - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Cpi Housing Utilities in Angola increased to 277.25 Index Points in October from 277.16 Index Points in September of 2019. Cpi Housing Utilities in Angola averaged 93.53 Index Points from 2002 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 277.25 Index Points in October of 2019 and a record low of 14.25 Index Points in January of 2002. This page provides - Angola Cpi Housing Utilities- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Housing Index in Ukraine increased to 7.90 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 6.40 percent in the third quarter of 2019. Housing Index in Ukraine averaged 5.58 percent from 2017 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 7.90 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019 and a record low of 2.20 percent in the first quarter of 2017. In Ukraine, Housing Index is measured by the annual change in the House Prices Index of New Housing. This page provides - Ukraine Housing Index- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Cpi Housing Utilities in Luxembourg decreased to 103.52 points in April from 105.45 points in March of 2020. Cpi Housing Utilities in Luxembourg averaged 101.92 points from 2015 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 107.16 points in January of 2020 and a record low of 97.48 points in April of 2016. This page provides - Luxembourg Cpi Housing Utilities- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Cpi Housing Utilities in Myanmar increased to 200.49 points in February from 200.12 points in January of 2020. Cpi Housing Utilities in Myanmar averaged 135.41 points from 2013 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 200.49 points in February of 2020 and a record low of 103.93 points in January of 2013. This page provides - Myanmar Cpi Housing Utilities- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Housing Index in Uruguay increased to 273.05 Index Points in the fourth quarter of 2013 from 217.47 Index Points in the second quarter of 2013. Housing Index in Uruguay averaged 140.18 Index Points from 1991 until 2013, reaching an all time high of 273.05 Index Points in the fourth quarter of 2013 and a record low of 43.35 Index Points in the fourth quarter of 2003. In Uruguay, Housing Index is measured by the Index of New Housing Construction Volume with the base value of 100 in 1990. This page provides - Uruguay New Housing Construction Index - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

CPI Housing Utilities in Uruguay increased to 218.89 points in April from 209.60 points in March of 2020. CPI Housing Utilities in Uruguay averaged 97.18 points from 1997 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 218.89 points in April of 2020 and a record low of 28.79 points in March of 1997. This page provides - Uruguay Cpi Housing- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Cpi Housing Utilities in Morocco increased to 117.70 points in March from 117.60 points in February of 2020. Cpi Housing Utilities in Morocco averaged 110.13 points from 2008 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 117.70 points in October of 2019 and a record low of 103.30 points in November of 2008. This page provides - Morocco Cpi Housing Utilities- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Cpi Housing Utilities in Rwanda increased to 126.10 points in March from 123.66 points in February of 2020. Cpi Housing Utilities in Rwanda averaged 102.66 points from 2009 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 126.10 points in March of 2020 and a record low of 87.71 points in April of 2010. This page provides - Rwanda Cpi Housing Utilities- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Cpi Housing Utilities in Malawi increased to 112.13 points in March from 112.10 points in February of 2020. Cpi Housing Utilities in Malawi averaged 108.30 points from 2017 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 112.13 points in March of 2020 and a record low of 100 points in December of 2017. This page provides - Malawi Cpi Housing Utilities- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Cpi Housing Utilities in Mali increased to 109.50 points in March from 109.20 points in February of 2020. Cpi Housing Utilities in Mali averaged 109.73 points from 2011 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 119.90 points in October of 2015 and a record low of 99.20 points in January of 2012. This page provides - Mali Cpi Housing Utilities- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

CPI Housing Utilities in Greece decreased to 115.14 points in April from 117.40 points in March of 2020. CPI Housing Utilities in Greece averaged 101 points from 1999 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 134.22 points in February of 2013 and a record low of 63.28 points in February of 1999. This page provides - Greece Cpi Housing- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Cpi Housing Utilities in Cyprus decreased to 106.89 points in April from 111.72 points in March of 2020. Cpi Housing Utilities in Cyprus averaged 102.22 points from 2015 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 111.72 points in March of 2020 and a record low of 91.94 points in April of 2016. This page provides - Cyprus Cpi Housing Utilities- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Extensive structural reforms since the early 1990s have strengthened the resilience of the Swedish economy to shocks.

Canada has experienced solid economic growth since the global crisis, allowing it to reverse recession-induced job losses and put federal public finances on a sound footing, says the OECD. Growth is expected to accelerate from 2.5% this year to 2.7% in 2015.

House prices have increased significantly in Canada over the past decade, driving household debt and residential construction activity to historical highs.

This Working Paper studies ways to stimulate the private rental sector (PRS) of the housing market – and compares experiences with policies and reforms in Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the Czech Republic.

Housing conditions in Belgium are among the best in OECD countries according to the Better Life Index, as dwellings are of high quality and large, and housing costs are average.

High house prices are being supported by very low interest rates, immigration-fuelled population growth and smaller family units, while demand is being bolstered by mortgage interest tax deductibility and institutional investors.

New Zealand enjoyed strong economic growth during 2016, driven by high net inward migration, solid construction activity, booming tourism and supportive monetary policy, although in per capita terms growth has been more in line with that in other advanced economies.

Unemployment is still above 8% in Latvia and contributes to poverty, in part because many unemployed have been without a job for an extended period of time.

Canada is one of the OECD economies delivering the best outcomes for its citizens, especially in regards to self-reported well-being, personal security and health status. Canada is also undertaking several programmes to foster inclusive growth – with respect to childcare benefits, gender equality and social housing.

Governments should rethink city housing, transport and other urban systems to ensure that fast-growing cities do not become inequality traps, according to a new OECD report showing that a majority of cities have higher levels of inequality than the national average.

Cpi Housing Utilities in Algeria increased to 164.50 points in March from 164.40 points in February of 2020. Cpi Housing Utilities in Algeria averaged 146.94 points from 2009 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 164.50 points in March of 2020 and a record low of 130 points in December of 2009. This page provides - Algeria Cpi Housing Utilities- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.