Scheme for Promotion of Affordable Rental Smart Housing (SPARSH 2.0): Government Affordable Rental Housing Development Support

SPARSH 2.0, the Scheme for Promotion of Affordable Rental Smart Housing, is a housing scheme run by the Labour and Employment Department of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. It helps increase the stock of affordable rental housing for industrial workers, labourers and poor families by making good use of government-owned land and vacant residential complexes.

The scheme is now in its active phase for the year 2026 and remains open for participation within the Union Territory. It backs the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan by giving sustainable rental options to workers and the economically weaker sections.

Scheme for Promotion of Affordable Rental Smart Housing (SPARSH 2.0): Government Affordable Rental Housing Development Support

Under SPARSH 2.0, government departments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and autonomous bodies are encouraged to build new housing complexes or convert vacant residential units into affordable rental accommodation. These authorities first work with the revenue department to identify suitable land and then aim to develop at least one SPARSH 2.0 complex using their own funds or available Grant-in-Aid support.

Municipalities, district panchayats, PSUs and autonomous bodies within the Union Territory are expected to take part. They can either start new housing projects or use vacant government residential properties that are already under their control, which keeps the process simple and makes better use of existing public land.

Benefits

SPARSH 2.0 offers a number of benefits for the participating authorities and the people who get housing through it:

• Vacant government land gets used in a planned way for housing development instead of staying idle.
• The availability of affordable rental housing within the Union Territory increases for workers and poorer families.
• Grant-in-Aid support is available for construction when the internal funding of the authority is not enough.
• Living conditions improve for labourers and industrial workers, which can lead to better health and higher productivity.
• Long-term housing infrastructure gets built for the urban poor, which supports the Housing for All mission.

Eligibility

To take part in SPARSH 2.0, the entity must satisfy the conditions given below:

• The applicant must be a municipality, District Panchayat, PSU or autonomous body located within the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
• The authority must hold valid land ownership or control over vacant residential complexes, or must act as an authorised representative.
• At least 66 per cent of the dwelling units must be reserved for beneficiaries from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) group.
• The housing complex must comply with SPARSH 2.0 construction norms and carry valid building permissions or occupancy certificates.
• The authority must take responsibility for maintaining the complex and running the waste management system.

Application Process

Applications under SPARSH 2.0 are currently processed offline. The applicant needs to follow the steps given below to register the housing project:

STEP 1 - Obtain the official Form A prescribed under the scheme from the designated department office of the Union Territory.

STEP 2 - Fill in the form and attach all the required project and land documents, such as ownership proof, government approvals and construction plans.

STEP 3 - Submit the completed application to the officer nominated by the Secretary (Labour) for the respective district.

STEP 4 - The nodal officer will check the application within 30 days and may carry out a technical inspection through the Associate Town Planner or another competent authority.

STEP 5 - After successful verification, a registration certificate in Form B is issued and a formal agreement is signed with the government authority.

Documents

Applicants need to submit the following documents along with Form A:

• Aadhaar card of the authorised representative
• Official land ownership or possession documents
• Relevant government approval for the project
• Detailed project proposal and construction plans
• Grant-in-Aid approval documents, if financial help is being sought

References

Official Scheme Guidelines

Official Scheme Document and Notification

FAQ's

What is the duration of the SPARSH 2.0 scheme?

SPARSH 2.0 is currently operational from the year 2022 to 2027.

Are government bodies required to participate?

Yes. Municipalities, District Panchayats, PSUs and autonomous bodies within the Union Territory are expected to identify suitable land and develop or operate at least one rental housing facility under this scheme.

Can existing vacant houses be used?

Yes. Authorities can convert existing vacant residential complexes into affordable rental housing by using an outsourcing model for management, without building from scratch.

How is the construction funded?

Projects should be funded mainly through the organisation's own budget. If this is not possible, the organisation may apply for Grant-in-Aid support provided under the scheme.

How is the quality of housing ensured?

Applicants are checked through annual registration verification. Any violation of the scheme terms may lead to cancellation of the registration.