Since economical factors have influenced the construction industry dramatically in recent years and in many parts of the world steel is scarce and expensive, many researchers are searching for low-cost materials as a substitute or alternative for the present situation. Recently, various materials have shown promise for future use as a major construction material. The purpose of this paper is to highlight alternative low-cost building materials for possible use in low-cost housing having advantages on areas such as India where concrete or steel housing is expensive. Green building has taken off in recent year with many builders and new home owners looking for new and different methods of construction that can potentially offset energy cost. Construction of low cost housing by using the low cost building materials increases the access to buildings by low income group peoples. Low cost housing can be achieved by use of efficient planning and project management, low cost materials, economical construction technologies and use of alternate construction methods available.

The profit gained from use of such methods can decrease the cost of construction and make the low cost housing accessible to all. The use of low cost alternate building materials also prevents the rise of construction cost due to use of scarce building materials which eventually increase the cost of the project. Some alternative building material can be made out of natural materials, while others can help to lower energy costs of the occupant once built. Regardless of what the goal of the builder is, alternative building material and their use is on the rise. After China, India is the second largest in bamboo production. Coupled with China, it holds 50% of the world’s total share of bamboo production. Of the total 136 species of bamboo occurring in India, 58 species spread out over 10 genera are endemic to the north eastern part of India alone (Sharma, 1987). The forest area, over which bamboos occur in India, on a conservative estimate, is about 9.57 million hectares, which constitutes about 12.8% of the total area under forests (Bahadur and Verma, 1980). Its widespread availability and rapid growth in areas of China, Japan and India has made this grass an interesting structural material due to its affordability, easy assembly and relatively long durability.