There is a shortage of around 24.71 million houses in the country, Government has said. "The total Housing shortage in the country is 24.71 million," Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Minister Kumari Selja said here while replying to a query in Lok Sabha.

She added that the Economically Weaker Sections were short of 21.78 million houses followed by 2.89 million people of the lower income groups.

Replying to another query, Selja said a high-level task force has in its report mentioned that any delay in addressing the affordable housing problem would affect country's economic growth and poverty removal plans.

Financial Express