Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza hit the nail on the head when he questioned the abundance of empty houses in Goa, houses that have owners who do not dwell in the state. His claims that just a third of new apartments in Goa are actually occupied are perhaps not too far from the truth.
Property in Goa has become an investment for many who live elsewhere in the country and even the world. What this has done is effectively opened up the market for developers to come here, invest in property and then build state-of-the-art buildings and complexes with amenities like pools, gardens, yoga spaces, gyms and more. This also drives prices up. Although affordable for people elsewhere with high salaries compared to Goa, locals have been priced out of the market.
This is where a need to regulate construction arises. There is also a need to create affordable housing for Goans and Goan residents. D’Souza needs to look into the 80/20 affordable housing programmes in New York as well as other planned developments around the world, that seeks to balance the scales with the different classes in the region. Goa needs a better development plan. To facilitate that, one needs a proper regional plan.
