By Suraj Nandrekar
The Goa Housing Board, established with the noble intention of providing affordable housing to Goans, has in recent years morphed into an institution that seems to cater more to the wealthy than to the common people it was meant to serve. The issue was rightly raised on the first day of the Goa Assembly session by MLA Ulhas Tuenkar, who urged the government to halt ongoing auctions of Housing Board plots, calling them unaffordable for the average Goan. His concerns, shared by thousands across the state, highlight the growing alienation of local residents from their own land.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s response — that a 30-year domicile is required to qualify for Housing Board plots — seems, on the surface, to protect Goans’ interests. However, such a policy is rendered toothless when the auction process itself becomes the primary method of allocation. In an auction, the highest bidder wins, regardless of economic background or actual housing need. This system naturally benefits the rich — often non-residents with deeper pockets — while sidelining ordinary Goans who simply cannot compete financially. The result is a process that is technically legal, but morally skewed against the very people the Housing Board is supposed to protect.
The reality on the ground is stark. Young Goans, especially first-time homebuyers, are struggling under the weight of soaring land and property prices. For them, the dream of owning a home is slipping further out of reach with every auction held. Meanwhile, outsiders with financial clout are acquiring land through Housing Board channels, further inflating property prices and changing the socio-economic landscape of Goan towns and villages. The promise of affordable housing is not just broken — it is being auctioned off.
The Chief Minister has acknowledged that the policy may need amendment. This admission, while welcome, must be followed by swift and meaningful action. Merely restricting eligibility to those with a long-term residence certificate is not enough. The entire auction-based model needs a re-evaluation. Instead of maximizing profit through auctions, the Housing Board should return to its original mandate: to serve the housing needs of Goans, especially the economically weaker sections and middle class.
There are viable alternatives. The Board can adopt a fixed-price allocation model based on income slabs, reserve plots for lower and middle-income families, and increase transparency and fairness in allotment. Rent-to-own schemes and subsidized housing could also be explored. Furthermore, community participation in policy decisions can help ensure that housing developments align with the real needs of Goans, not just developers or outsiders.
In the long run, Goa must ask itself: who is this land for? If Goans cannot afford to live in Goa, the cultural and demographic fabric of the state will inevitably erode. The government must act urgently — not just with promises of policy changes, but with concrete reforms that make housing genuinely accessible to those who call Goa home. The Housing Board must serve people, not profit.
