The Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) is shifting towards a demand-driven housing model to reduce unsold inventory and ensure that new residential projects match the requirements of prospective homebuyers. Under the new approach, demand for one-, two- and three-bedroom homes will be assessed before construction begins. Based on the responses received, housing projects will be planned and developed according to the preferences and requirements of buyers. Officials said the earlier practice of constructing homes in different sizes before assessing demand had contributed to a large number of unsold properties. The new system is aimed at addressing this issue and improving the efficiency of housing projects. Housing projects have been proposed across several locations in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu. The initiative will cover both residential flats and plots, depending on demand in individual locations. As part of the first phase, a dedicated online portal has been introduced to assess public demand. Interested homebuyers can register their requirements by selecting their preferred location, type of dwelling and other relevant preferences. The registrations will be used only to analyse housing demand and will not provide applicants with any priority or preference in the allotment of homes. The housing board is also planning to introduce additional quality-control measures. Building designs and project estimates will undergo third-party verification to strengthen the planning and construction process. Once construction work begins, prospective allottees will also be able to monitor the progress of their respective projects through the system. The demand-based approach is expected to help the housing board plan projects more efficiently, reduce unsold housing inventory and improve transparency throughout the construction process.