Housing plays a crucial role in the economic development of a nation, both as an end and as a means. As an end, housing is an essential ingredient in the basic requirements of a civilized living; as a means, besides adding to national income, housing acts as a strong motivator of savings and plays an important role in the generation of employment. It is closely linked with the overall socio-economic development in the society. As the World Bank Housing Sector Policy Paper observes, housing is important for development in both economic and welfare terms. For all but the wealthy acquiring a...