While rapid urbanisation, growing cities provide various opportunities, there are fallouts in terms of proliferation of slums, high prices of land and building materials which render houses unaffordable for the segment at the bottom of the pyramid. Therefore, the need for adequate housing for the low-income groups will substantially increase.

Most importantly, while we create housing for these sections of the society, they need to be green too. The principles of green and sustainability are fortunately or unfortunately community-agnostic, in the sense that they also need to handle wastages a bit more carefully, be thrifty in the usage of energy & water, handle waste in a hygienic manner to avoid outbreak of epidemics, reduced use of virgin materials and above all enhance their own quality of lives.

Housing that is appropriate to the needs of a household and within their means to pay along with being environment conscious. The means (or capacity) of a household to pay for their housing depends on three primary factors:

• The income of the household;
• The cost of appropriate housing; and
• Other essential living costs to be met by the household, such as food and household goods, transport, education and healthcare.

The influencing parameters for such housing will take into consideration various design characteristics of the housing, alongside social, economic and cultural attributes of the household. With this background, IGBC has launched the Green Affordable Housing Rating. Some central indicators of green affordable housing would be:

• Standard and quality of housing
• Availability of basic amenities
• Located close to the services, jobs and community facilities
• Energy and water efficient
• Cost efficient in maintenance & operations