The problem of housing has been assuming serious proportion in view of the phenomenal increase in population and need for residential accommodation. The gigantic challenge of providing houses for all can only be met by the application of low-cost, energy-saving, labor-oriented and environmentally sound technology which can use local resources rationally. The study involved in exploring the different types of cost-effective building materials and techniques used by homemakers in the construction of their houses. The study was undertaken in Delhi and Hisar city of Haryana. A sample of 100 households was taken, out of which 50 respondents were from Hisar and 50 respondents from Delhi. The majority of respondents had used brick of II nd grade for foundation work. Among the cost-effective building materials for walls, a maximum number of respondents had used pre-cast hollow concrete block. There were various types of cost-effective techniques for walls which was used by the respondent but a maximum percent of the respondent had used rat trap bond. Regarding the satisfaction level of cost-effective building materials and techniques, for random stone masonry, lime mortar, a brick of II nd grade, precast hollow concrete block, single brick thick load bearing wall, cement concrete stone wall, jute stalk board, cable, stone lintel chajja, the satisfaction level was high.

The shelter is one of the basic needs of human beings. Providing housing is one of the most sound and daunting task and is receiving utmost attention of government at all levels and various agencies. In India house is still a dream to many people. Scarcity and high cost of building materials against the rising demands for housing, the increasing population nowadays have necessitated the scientific use of all available materials in construction (Mishra, 1988). One should remember that low cost technology doesn’t mean sacrificing of quality and durability. It only means avoidance of extravagance, over-engineering and minimizing the use of costly materials like cement, steel, timber etc. (Murthy, 1987). The future prospect and possible solution of the housing problem recognizes the need for an integrated management concept for the proper management of human settlements in the country. Improvement in housing conditions will involve the formulation and adoption of realistic and performance-oriented building standards to promote low cost housing (Obudho, 1992). As a result of use of innovative technologies, the house could be built at around Rs. 315/- per sq. ft. as against the conventional cost of the order of Rs. 600/- per sq. ft. (HUDCO, 2000). Use of precast concrete structural elements in mass housing schemes ensures better quality of construction and speedy execution of work. A considerable saving, both in construction time and cost could be achieved in prefab housing. (Patwardhan, 1993). Hence, keeping in view the housing cost, the study has been conducted with the objective.