Abstract—This paper provides a position statement for a grid interactive affordable housing programme called CELLULAR presently concluding its scoping phase. The study has so far balanced the technical, regulatory and financial aspects of socio- technical solutions that are practical and inexpensive. Later phases will deploy urban living labs which will site and test technology, decarbonization policy, regulatory sandboxes, urban land-use planning, human and social factors, financing innovations, and higher penetration of onsite RE. If successful, the programme would offer diverse benefits to affordable housing occupants, grid operators and builders. Observed efficacy of tested interventions will be pursued in a scale-up phase intending technical support for energy sector policy reform.