The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Board (MHADA) has announced the sale of 120 unsold flats across Mumbai on a first-come-first-served basis, starting February 5. The flats, located across Kandivali, Wadala, Powai, Malad, Mankhurd, Vikhroli, Ghatkopar, Byculla, Tardeo, Lower Parel, Sion, and Andheri, include both MHADA-constructed units and those received under Development Control Regulations (DCR 33(5) and 33(7)).
Applicants can register online through MHADA’s portal, pay a security deposit, and access the ‘Book My Home’ option to select flats. Once chosen, a 10% payment must be made within 48 hours to confirm the allotment. Failure to meet this deadline results in cancellation and forfeiture of the deposit.
First-Come-First-Served Model: Who Wins?
While the scheme offers another opportunity for homebuyers, it also highlights a pressing concern: senior citizens may be losing out. The FCFS model inherently rewards speed, tech-savviness, and quick reflexes. Younger buyers familiar with smartphones and online payment systems are better equipped to navigate the process, leaving seniors at a disadvantage.
Kapil Singh, a resident of Sohna Road, said, “Middle-class families have been waiting for affordable options for years. But schemes like this feel more like a race, not an opportunity for those who need homes most.”
For many seniors, online registration, OTP verifications, and digital banking are obstacles. Offline support exists but is limited, with long queues adding to the challenge. The system’s design inadvertently prioritises those who can act fastest over those who may have the greatest housing need.
Seniors and the Digital Divide
Mumbai’s senior population is significant, and many live in rented apartments or old chawls. For these citizens, MHADA flats could offer security and independence. Yet, navigating a digital-first application process remains daunting.
“While the government intends to provide housing, it has not consistently factored in the realities of ageing citizens,” said an industry observer. “Accessibility for seniors is still more of an afterthought than a core policy consideration.”
MHADA has category quotas for economically weaker sections, scheduled castes, and government employees. However, seniors do not always find a clear mention, and dedicated provisions for older adults are inconsistent across schemes.
Policy Gaps in Senior Housing
With rising life expectancy and shrinking family support systems, senior citizens increasingly need independent housing solutions. A reserved quota or dedicated facilitation for seniors could ensure equitable access. Such measures would not only provide housing security but also recognise the demographic shift in India’s urban centres.
Sanjeev Jaiswal of MHADA has acknowledged the need for inclusive practices in past interviews. The real test will be whether policies evolve to actively support seniors rather than assuming they can compete on equal footing with younger, digitally adept buyers.
Beyond Numbers: Housing and Dignity
The 120 flats on offer may be a small fraction of Mumbai’s housing demand, but they illustrate a larger issue: the risk of exclusion in a system designed for speed. Behind every allotment are stories of retired teachers, widowed pensioners, and older professionals seeking security and dignity.
Housing policy, experts argue, is not just about allocating units; it is about ensuring access, equity, and independence for vulnerable groups. Without adjustments, seniors may continue to be sidelined, turning what is intended as a welfare scheme into an exercise in digital agility rather than social support.
The Road Ahead
MHADA’s FCFS initiative opens a critical conversation on inclusivity in urban housing. For schemes to truly meet the needs of all citizens, especially seniors, developers and policymakers must consider both accessibility and procedural support.
As Mumbai’s real estate landscape evolves, the challenge will be creating systems that balance efficiency with fairness. Whether MHADA adapts its approach for seniors could determine whether its housing schemes remain numbers-driven exercises or become genuinely people-centric solutions.
Seniors represent a growing segment of homebuyers whose needs require policy attention. The question remains whether future allotments will include safeguards, guidance, and dedicated channels to ensure older residents are not left behind in the race for a home.
