The collapse of a building in Delhi’s Satya Niketan has brought to the forefront the failure of planning and regulation by development authorities and landowners. While the loss of lives and the apathy of those responsible is rightfully receiving attention, little of it is diverted to preventing similar occurrences in urban villages and unauthorised colonies, which are the only source of supply of “accessible” small-format housing in the Delhi-NCR.

Small-format housing is a shared accommodation and can range from a studio, a one RK (room and kitchen) unit, a one-BHK unit, small two-BHK units, or assisted units. For students, young professionals, nuclear families, senior citizens (either living alone or only with a spouse) and even persons with disabilities, from lower to upper-middle income brackets, such units are practical, thus in high demand for both ownership and rental. These are the backbone of a developed economy (look at the role of social housing in the Netherlands). But where are they?

Let’s understand the predicament of the most vulnerable groups, in dire need of small-format housing. Students without allocated hostels need accommodation close to their educational institute to avert the inconvenience and cost of travel. Young graduates need affordable accommodation near offices and may pay a cost marginally higher than students pay for the same........

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