From shacks to skyline: North Chennai families get a fresh start in CMDA’s new housing hub

Residents will have access to an anganwadi, ration shop and gym within the housing complex, reducing dependence on distant facilities and making daily life more convenient for families.

The large-scale housing project comprises 776 one-BHK units located near Stanley Medical College Hospital, ensuring easy access to healthcare facilities while keeping residents close to the city’s core employment and transport hubs.

The housing complex is set to be inaugurated on January 21, marking a significant milestone in the state’s urban housing programme aimed at rehabilitating economically weaker sections from unsafe living conditions.

The project consists of two ground-plus-nine buildings, each accommodating 388 tenements. The design allows for high-density housing while still providing open community spaces and improved ventilation.

Five percent of the total units have been reserved for persons with disabilities. These homes are designed to be more accessible, reflecting a focus on inclusivity in public housing development.

Each dwelling is a one-bedroom apartment measuring about 420 square feet. The units are designed to maximise usable space and offer better finishes than earlier resettlement housing projects.

Unlike earlier resettlement colonies such as Perumbakkam and Kannagi Nagar, the new project emphasises quality, durability and livability, with construction standards comparable to private apartment complexes.

Families living along roadsides and canal banks in north Chennai will soon get permanent homes in a CMDA-built housing complex, offering a safer and more dignified living environment compared to informal settlements prone to flooding and eviction.

The complex features a spacious central courtyard, landscaped parks, outdoor gym equipment, children’s play areas, gazebos and seating zones for senior citizens, encouraging social interaction and community bonding.