In pursuit of its Mission, HSMI focuses on:

Development of conceptual and practical knowledge in the fields of Housing, Housing Finance; Urban Infrastructure, Planning and Management, Urban Finance, Transport and other urban issues pertaining to utility, social and commercial infrastructure.

Training and education in these fields, especially for professionals from State Housing Boards, Water Supply and Sewerage Boards, Urban Development authorities, Municipal Corporations, Housing Finance Institutions, Private Sector organizations, NGOs, besides programmes for Urban managers and administrators from developing countries.

Research and Consultancy on related subjects of housing and infrastructure as well as Urban poverty, Urban Environment, Urban Governance and Urban Finance.

Institutional capacity building by establishing regular training programmes at State Level training institutes in various States and Regions in the country.