Examining Homeownership Bias in Indian Housing Policy Using Frame Analysis

Literature examining Indian housing policy broadly focuses on the shifting role of the state from a provider of housing to a facilitator of housing markets. Using frame analysis method, this article explores the underlying policy frames responsible for this shift and the factors influencing the homeownership bias in Indian housing policy. The analysis moves forward in two steps: First, we present the policy frames analysis method and describe the data sources used for analysis. Second, we identify the policy frames and discuss their linkages to homeownership bias in Indian housing policy. We identify four policy frames over the years: housing as an unproductive activity, housing as an economic activity, housing as a market good and housing as a commodity. We conclude by highlighting that market-based housing policies work in favour of perpetuating homeownership bias, which, in turn, arrests the development of alternatives like rental housing and cooperative housing.