Homelessness: Global Perspective Report Of The International Conference On Homelessness In India

Introduction

Homelessness In India remains a deeply entrenched and complex social issue that continues to affect millions. Despite India’s rapid economic growth and urban transformation, the urban poor face persistent housing insecurity and lack of access to basic services. The problem is far larger than census figures suggest, thanks to issues of underreporting and the invisible nature of many forms of homelessness.

In 2000 Dr. Graham Tipple, from the Centre for Architectural Research and Development Overseas (CARDO), produced the draft text for the UN-HABITAT publication Strategies to Combat Homelessness. Following this publication, a successful application was made, by Dr. Tipple, to the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) for funding to undertake an in-depth study of homelessness in nine developing countries. The main aims of this study were to explore the nature and extent of homelessness and interventions to address it in each of the countries. The study was managed by Dr. Graham Tipple and Suzanne Speak from Newcastle University. A researcher was commissioned in each of the nine countries to undertake detailed research in accordance with carefully developed Terms of Reference. A list of the researchers is provided in the appendix. Each researcher submitted a report and all but 2 of the countries were visited during the project by one of the two Newcastle researchers.

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Scope and Scale

According to the 2011 census, about 1.77 million people are officially homeless in India, residing in locations such as pavements, railway platforms, temples, and other open spaces Wikipedia. However, advocates argue that the true magnitude of Homelessness In India is substantially higher—potentially over three million—due to underestimation and methodological limitations ijtbm.comWikipedia.

Urbanization and inequality further amplify the breadth of Homelessness In India. The Homeless World Cup estimated approximately 1.8 million homeless individuals in India by 2019, with over half residing in urban areas, especially around slums The Borgen Project.

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Root Causes

Several intertwined factors drive the persistence of Homelessness In India:

• Urban Migration: Displaced individuals from rural areas migrate to cities seeking livelihood opportunities, often finding shelter in streets or informal settlements Wikipediaijtbm.com.

• Lack of Affordable Housing: With a chronic shortage of low-cost housing, many poor households are relegated to homelessness or substandard, illegal housing ijtbm.comWikipedia.

• Evictions and Displacement: Demolitions of slums and informal structures—frequently without rehabilitation—push families onto streets, worsening Homelessness In India ijtbm.comWikipedia.

• Socioeconomic Vulnerability: Domestic abuse, disabilities, and mental illness elevate risks of becoming homeless. Policies around deinstitutionalization have also contributed to this vulnerable population joining the ranks of the homeless Wikipedianoblenonprofit.org.

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Demographics and Vulnerable Groups

The makeup of Homelessness In India highlights deep vulnerabilities:

• Street Children: Over 400,000 children live on the streets in India. They are among the most marginalized, often escaping abuse or poverty and facing exploitation, hazardous labor, and lack of education Wikipedia.

• Intergenerational Homelessness: Homelessness in families is often inherited—one Delhi-based estimate suggests that a family of four experiencing homelessness can span five generations Wikipedia.

• Mental Health Challenges: A notable proportion of those experiencing Homelessness In India struggle with mental health issues, often without access to adequate care Wikipedia.

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Living Conditions and Dangers

Living conditions for the homeless illustrate the harsh realities of Homelessness In India:

• Exposure to Extremes: Many live in open or poorly sheltered spaces. In Delhi, seven homeless individuals reportedly die daily due to exposure to extreme weather, underscoring the life-threatening nature of street living Wikipedia.

• Barriers to Health Services: Homeless individuals frequently lack identity documentation required by healthcare institutions. As a result, only about 3% have the necessary documentation (such as voter IDs or ration cards), which limits access to even emergency medical care Wikipedia.

• Shelter System Flaws: Government-mandated night shelters under various plans have often been inadequate. Many are unattractive to users due to poor infrastructure, overcrowding, or location. In some cases, users avoid shelters as they conflict with work hours, undermining their utility Wikipedia.

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Governmental and Judicial Responses

Efforts to tackle Homelessness In India have included policy initiatives and judicial intervention:

• Mid-1990s Nodal Schemes: The Eighth Five-Year Plan included a Footpath Dwellers Night Shelter Scheme. Later plans acknowledged the right to shelter and promoted the development of night shelters Wikipedia.

• Supreme Court Mandates: Reports of poor shelter conditions prompted the Supreme Court to require round-the-clock shelters, with adequate facilities including beds, toilets, water, first aid, and fire safety in cities Wikipedia.

• Livelihood Programs: Post-2013, initiatives such as the National Urban Livelihood Mission began offering guidelines for shelter creation and use, recognizing the interconnectedness of housing and livelihoods Wikipedia.

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Case Study: Mumbai

Mumbai, India’s economic hub, illustrates the scale and interplay of slums and Homelessness In India:

• Housing density is extreme; over 50% of its population lives in slums that occupy just 8% of city land. Many are migrants working informal jobs earning around ₹6,000/month, often without access to social welfare due to lack of documentation Wikipedia.

• Mix of informal dwellers and street homeless contributes to the city’s intricate housing challenges—underscoring how Homelessness In India and slum expansion are closely related.

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Human Rights Perspective

Homelessness In India is increasingly framed as a human rights issue—not merely a developmental challenge:

• The right to adequate housing entails more than shelter—it includes security of tenure, access to services, affordability, and protection from forced eviction Wikipedia.

• National recognition of this right enshrined it in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan. Nonetheless, implementation remains partial when confronting structural barriers to realizing housing security for all.

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Ongoing Gaps & Needs

There remain critical forces perpetuating Homelessness In India:

• Chronic Undercounting: Existing data consistently undervalues scale and demographics of homelessness, limiting strategic response.

• Inadequate Shelter Infrastructure: Shelters are often insufficiently funded, poorly maintained, and spatially inaccessible.

• Fragmented Policy Implementation: Despite recognition of homelessness as a rights issue, coordination across agencies remains limited, leaving many needs unaddressed.

• Lack of Systemic Prevention Measures: Social safety nets, affordable housing strategies, and documentation support remain insufficient to credibly prevent or reduce homelessness.

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Conclusion

Homelessness In India is a multifaceted challenge rooted in structural inequalities, rapid urbanization, and inadequate social safeguards. While the number of officially recorded homeless stands at around 1.77 million, the reality is likely far more extensive and distressing, especially in urban centers like Mumbai and Delhi.

The causes stretch from rural displacement and inadequate urban housing to mental health issues, domestic violence, and failed rehabilitation post-evictions. Street children and intergenerational homelessness further complicate the narrative.

Government responses—from the introduction of shelters, Supreme Court mandates, to livelihood and housing plans—reflect growing awareness. Still, implementation frequently falls short due to poor infrastructure, lack of coordination, and insufficient coverage.

To truly address Homelessness In India, a paradigm shift is needed: treating housing as a fundamental human right, reinforcing data collection, scale shelter improvements, integrate healthcare access, support mental health and livelihoods, and prevent eviction-driven displacement. Only then can India move toward dignifying the lives of its most vulnerable citizens and progressively eradicate homelessness.

Also Read: Affordable Rental Housing Making It Part of Europe’s Recovery