Sheltering India’s Urban Homeless

Homelessness is one of the worst forms of marginalisation as most homeless individuals suffer from malnutrition and extreme poverty. Access to healthcare facilities and their affordability is also a hurdle.

Exorbitant conditions affect mental health in many cases. Moreover, these conditions also give rise to drug and alcohol consumption.

Cause of Homelessness

• Extreme poverty,
• Inadequate affordable housing,
• High levels of inequality, and
• Discrimination - primary drivers of homelessness.

Causes of Urban Homelessness

• Low wages,
• High rents, and
• The soaring cost of living in urban areas forces many to choose between either food or shelter.
• The lack of employment opportunities pushes many individuals to migrate to cities, out of which many resort to living on the streets.
• Family disputes, domestic and substance abuse, and physical and mental violence force many to flee from their families.

Homelessness is one of the worst forms of marginalisation as most homeless individuals suffer from malnutrition and extreme poverty.

Rights of Homeless Individuals

• Article 21 of the Indian Constitution deals with the fundamental rights to life and personal liberty.
• The Supreme Court has held that the right to dignified shelter is part of the right to life under Article 21.
• It entrusts the responsibility of providing housing to the state.
• The Government of India envisaged housing for all by 2022. It has devised policies and sub-schemes under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Shelter for Urban Homeless (SUH)

• As the name suggests, the scheme seeks to provide shelter to the urban poor. SUH is a sub-scheme under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM). The scheme guidelines mention the following provisions:
• All weather permanent shelters will be open for 24 hours.
• Permanent community centre for at least 100 people for every 1 lakh population.
• Each one should cater to 50-100 persons depending on local conditions.