MUMBAI: ArthVeda Fund Management, part of financial services conglomerate Wadhawan Global Capital, is planning to raise $1 billion to invest in affordable housing projects across the country, said a top company official. 

The asset management company recently received $250 million commitment from Qatar Holding, part of Qatar sovereign fund, for its affordable, low and middle income housing fund. This is the first such commitment received by an Indian fund following the Budget 2017 proposal to grant affordable housing infrastructure status. 

“For us, focus on low and middle income housing started decades ago that got accelerated in 2003-04 and has now broadened into investment space through funds managed by ArthVeda. Over the last 13 years, our group flagship company DHFL has grown to close to Rs 90,000 crore from Rs 1,100 crore loans to affordable segment. This growth gives us a unique insight into this segment,” Bikram Sen, CEO of Arthveda Fund Management, told ET. 

Mortgage lender Dewan Housing Finance Corporation (DHFL) is also part of Wadhawan Global Capital. 

The fund will be raising a total of $1 billion over the next two years to invest in low and middle income housing projects. The fund will be raised from long-term institutional investors including sovereign funds, pension funds, fund of funds, foundations and private equity funds. 

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