Lok Sabha Question No. 884 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-24
Subject: Protection of Urban Homeless under Shelter for Urban Homeless Scheme
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Sasikanth Senthil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 884

## TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 24, 2025

## PROTECTION OF URBAN HOMELESS UNDER SHELTER FOR URBAN HOMELESS SCHEME

## NO. 884.    SASIKANTH SENTHIL:

Will  the  Minister  of  HOUSING  AND  URBAN  AFFAIRS  be  pleased  to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  recorded  any  deaths  of  homeless individuals  due  to  cold  waves  during  the  last  five  years  across  the country including New Delhi and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  steps  taken  under  the  Shelter  for  Urban  Homeless  (SUH) component  of  the  Deendayal  Antyodaya  Yojana  -  National  Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) to protect urban homeless individuals from cold-related hazards including hypothermia and the number of shelters currently operational across various States;
- (c) whether the Government  is considering introducing alternative identity  documentation  mechanisms  for  urban  homeless  individuals to address challenges arising from their transient and undocumented status and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  the total number of shelter homes equipped to cater to the needs of women  with  disabilities  across  the  country,  particularly  in  Tamil Nadu; and
- (e)   the nature of support facilities available in such shelters for women with disabilities?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

- (a): The  data  on  deaths  due  to  cold  waves  is  not  maintained  by  the Ministry  of  Housing  and  Urban  Affairs.  As  informed  by  Delhi  Urban Shelter  Improvement  Board  (DUSIB),  which  functions  under  the control of Government of NCT of Delhi, no deaths have been recorded in any shelter of DUSIB.

- (b):      It  is  the  primary  responsibility  of  Government  of  the  States/ Union Territories  to  provide  shelters  for  the  urban  homeless . However,  in order to supplement their efforts, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs administered  Scheme  for  Shelter  for  Urban  Homeless  (SUH)  under Deendayal  Antyodaya  Yojana-  National  Urban  Livelihoods  Mission (DAY-NULM), through respective States / UTs . It  focused  on  providing permanent  shelters  equipped  with  basic  facilities  to  the  urban homeless.  The  mission  was  in  existence  till  September  2024.  Also, this Ministry issues advisory to select States / UTs regarding winter action plan to accommodate urban homeless before harsh conditions of  winter  set  in.  It  includes  arrangement  of  temporary  shelters, conduct of  mobilization  drives  to  mobilize  homeless  persons  to  the shelters etc.

A total of 1,995 shelters for urban homeless were made operational across the country under DAY-NULM till 30.09.2024.

- (c):
- No such proposal is under consideration.
- (d)&(e):      SUH  operational  guidelines  provisioned  shelters  to  cater  the  most vulnerable groups within the homeless population such as (a) single women and their dependent minor children, (b)  aged,  (c)  infirm,  (d) disabled, (e) mentally challenged etc. States (including Tamil Nadu) / ULBs may consider setting up separate shelters to cater the special needs such as men shelter, women shelter, family shelter and special shelter.  As  reported  by  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu,  19  special shelters  are  operational  exclusively  for  women.  Details  regarding
- facilities provided at the shelters are at 'Annexure'.

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## ANNEXURE

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d)&(e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 884 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2025

## FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED AT THE SHELTERS

- a) Well-ventilated rooms.
- b) Water  arrangements  (Potable  drinking  water  and  other  needs) and sanitation.
- c) Adequate bathing & toilet facilities.
- d) Standard lighting for shelter.
- e) Adequate fire protection measures, as per the norms.
- f) First aid kit.
- g) Pest and vector (mosquito) control.
- h) Regular cleaning of blankets, mattresses and sheets, and
9. maintenance of other services.
- i) Common kitchen/cooking space, necessary utensils for cooking and serving, cooking gas connections etc.
- j) Child  care  facilities  for  children  by  linking  the  shelter  to  the nearest Anganwadi Centres.
12. k)
13. Facilitation for convergence with other services/entitlements.
- l) Personal lockers for personal storage space.
- m) Common recreation space.