Institutional Analysis of PHATA (Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency)

The Punjab Affordable Housing Program (PAHP), financed through the World Bank's Program for Results (PforR) and Investment Project Financing (IPF) instruments, aims to enhance affordable housing in Punjab by improving both its quantity and quality. The IPF will finance technical assistance, ensuring the success of the PforR component, which focuses on providing infrastructure for affordable housing schemes by the private sector and constructing low-cost public housing. The program aims to increase housing supply for lower-income populations by offering infrastructure incentives for private developments and building sustainable, affordable housing units by the public sector. The Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA), with technical support from the Urban Unit, will play a crucial role in achieving this goal.

To better fulfil its mandate, PHATA is undergoing a comprehensive institutional restructuring, facilitated by AHI. We are conducting a detailed review of PHATA's institutional framework, governance, human resources, and operational procedures; identifying areas for improvement; and developing a Capacity Development Strategy and Action Plan. The goal is to realign PHATA's structure and capacities to support its role as an enabler for private sector investment in affordable housing and a developer of basic housing on public land. Capacity-building activities, financial literacy campaigns, and the development of operational guidelines and templates are also part of the initiative, ensuring PHATA is equipped to meet future housing sector needs in Punjab.