Archive · 1 Feb 2026
Mumbai’s Housing Affordability Crisis Ahead of Budget 2026
Buying a home in Mumbai is becoming very hard for many people.
The government says homes costing up to ₹45 lakh are affordable, but in Mumbai, even basic homes cost more than that.
People want the government to change this rule to ₹80–90 lakh so more people can get help.
Home loans are also expensive, and the tax break for interest is too small.
The government has a housing scheme, but it doesn’t help much in Mumbai because the prices are too high.
Renting is also expensive, and there aren’t enough protections for renters.
The government could help by lowering taxes on new homes and improving public transport so people can live farther from the city center.
The upcoming budget is important because it could make housing more affordable for people in Mumbai.
Homes priced up to ₹45 lakh are classified as affordable by the central government, but this is insufficient for Mumbai's market.
Homebuyers in Mumbai argue for a revised affordable housing threshold of ₹80–90 lakh to qualify for tax incentives and benefits.
High home loan interest payments, often ranging from ₹4 lakh to ₹6 lakh annually, are only partially covered by the current ₹2 lakh tax deduction limit.
Government housing schemes like PMAY-U have limited impact in Mumbai due to income caps and loan limits not aligning with the city's pricing levels.
High construction costs, partly due to 18% GST on under-construction properties, contribute to elevated property prices in Mumbai.
- Who
- Homebuyers and residents of Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR)
- What
- The challenges of housing affordability in Mumbai and the need for policy changes ahead of Budget 2026
- When
- Ahead of Budget 2026
- Where
- Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR)
- Why
- Due to high property prices, insufficient affordable housing definitions, high home loan interest rates, and limited impact of government housing schemes
- Current Affordable Housing Threshold
- ₹45 lakh
- Proposed Affordable Housing Threshold for Mumbai
- ₹80–90 lakh
- Current Home Loan Interest Deduction Limit
- ₹2 lakh
- Typical Annual Home Loan Interest in Mumbai
- ₹4 lakh – ₹6 lakh
- GST on Under-Construction Properties
- 18%
- Government Housing Scheme
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U)