New Delhi, Jan. 16 -- As expectations build around Union Budget 2026, the real estate industry has pitched for urgent policy support to revive affordable housing and strengthen rental housing, warning that growth in the sector is becoming increasingly uneven.

Anuj Puri, Chairman of ANAROCK Group, said India's housing story remains strong on the surface but is structurally imbalanced underneath.

He said "In 2025, the new home sales volumes fell 14 per cent, yet the sale value rose 6 per cent to nearly 6 lakh crore. This clearly shows that luxury housing is thriving, while affordable housing is under stress"

Puri said Budget 2026 must continue accelerating last-mile urban infrastructure, which would further boost real estate development....