Housing is one of the most important sectors of the economy with large positive externalities in terms of economic growth, public health and societal stability. Provision of adequate housing is a necessity for survival and is considered a vital investment in health leading to increase in productive capacity and overall well being of a person and his/her family. Despite the fact that housing constitutes one of the basic human rights, more than a billion people around the globe, including over 14 percent of the population of South Asia, live in inadequate housing.