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Economic Times
4 days ago
- General
- Economic Times
No roof, no rest for over 3 lakh people: Why Delhi still can't house its homeless
Despite years of state and central schemes, Delhi's homeless population remains dangerously underserved. Over 3 lakh people are estimated to be without permanent shelter, with many relying on footpaths and flyovers to survive. Experts cite deep flaws in implementation, manpower shortages, and a lack of long-term planning. Official surveys and testimonies reveal that shelters fall short by nearly 90% of need. Voices from the ground urge urgent policy reform, better housing plans and job creation to address the root causes of homelessness. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A city's count, a city's gap Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Life on the pavement Shelters that empty by morning Supreme Court steps in Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Gaps in policy and politics What locals see, what they want Under Delhi's bridges, on its pavements, and near its markets, thousands sleep in the open every night. They sell balloons and trinkets at crossings by day. By night, they huddle beneath tarpaulin sheets, battling hunger, dust, noise and weather, as reported by arrived in the capital hoping for work. They stay back after dreams collapse, left with no roof over their heads. Some are alone. Others are with families. All try to carve out a life on efforts like the Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) and the National Urban Livelihood Mission 's Shelter for Urban Homeless (SUH) promised change. Yet the numbers sleeping rough say otherwise.A major count conducted in August 2024 revealed that 1,56,369 people were sleeping on the streets between 11pm and 5.30am. The city's estimated homeless population is over 3,00,000, according to Dr Indu Prakash Singh, member of the State Level Shelter Monitoring Committee (SLSMC).'The current shelters are not enough,' said Dr Singh told TOI. 'Delhi has more shelters than many cities in the world. Govt also provides food and medicines at the shelters. But, there are not enough of them, and many people still sleep outside.'Dr Singh noted that despite a decade since the launch of the SUH scheme, shelter provision is still 90% below the requirement set by the Master Plan for Delhi city's footpaths double up as kitchens. Boundary grills become clotheslines. The underside of flyovers serve as bedrooms. Entire families survive this way—elderly people, disabled individuals, pregnant women and children alike.'Remove poverty, bring jobs everywhere, and homelessness will disappear,' said Dr Singh. 'The tragedy of this country is that the poor are persecuted and not supported. If poverty schemes truly worked, we wouldn't be here discussing this.'He added, 'Homelessness isn't the issue. The lack of work is. The real problem is a govt deficit — not of money, but of care and commitment.'Despite government funding and court directives, shelters often stand underused or overwhelmed. A senior Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) official explained, 'The court has assigned us responsibility, but the challenge remains. Many homeless people return to the streets despite food and shelter. Some families stay for decades, others never come. We rescue at least 40–50 people daily. They use the night shelters but leave by morning. We urge donors to give to shelters.... We've proposed skill-based programmes for employment.'He said the issue was not just infrastructure. 'The lack of manpower (at the shelters) is a big issue. The key is creating jobs in home states to reduce migration to Delhi.'In February 2025, during a hearing on urban homelessness, the Supreme Court posed a pointed question: should jobs take precedence over handouts?While recognising the urgency of shelter, the court asked for a balance in welfare policies. It challenged whether one-time benefits were sustainable, especially when structural gaps in employment and housing BJP, ahead of its election promises, had pledged to remove homelessness entirely if it formed the government. Yet realities on the ground suggest long-term plans remain to Dr Singh, DUSIB—primarily an engineering body—has been burdened with social responsibilities that should fall under welfare departments. 'Govt must come up with a holistic policy on this — at central and state levels,' he Centre for Holistic Development (CHD) also believes that short-term schemes aren't Kumar Aledia, executive director of CHD, said: 'The cityscape may be important, but addressing the problem of homelessness is also crucial.' He stressed the need for structured efforts: 'Long-term planning, like the five-year plans we had earlier. There were discussions about housing rights for the homeless then.... We need at least five years of dedicated effort, especially for housing policies. Marginalised sections can contribute to the Smart City projects too.'He added, 'Homeless people would have to be brought to the mainstream.'Suchita Kacker Meena, a Delhi resident, offered a citizen's perspective. 'Sustainable solutions to homelessness lie in building more shelters, creating job opportunities and ensuring effective implementation of rehabilitation programmes.'This sentiment is echoed in many neighbourhoods where the homeless have become part of the local landscape—visible but largely there are schemes, food vans, medicines, and occasional rescue drives, the core issue remains unaddressed—how does a city care for those it sees every day but rarely notices?With half the required shelters missing and few clear roadmaps ahead, Delhi's homeless continue to survive in fragments—half-visible in crowded streets and half-forgotten in public plans.(With inputs from TOI)
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
No roof, no rest for over 3 lakh people: Why Delhi still can't house its homeless
A city's count, a city's gap Live Events Life on the pavement Shelters that empty by morning Supreme Court steps in Gaps in policy and politics What locals see, what they want (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Under Delhi's bridges, on its pavements, and near its markets, thousands sleep in the open every night. They sell balloons and trinkets at crossings by day. By night, they huddle beneath tarpaulin sheets, battling hunger, dust, noise and weather, as reported by arrived in the capital hoping for work. They stay back after dreams collapse, left with no roof over their heads. Some are alone. Others are with families. All try to carve out a life on efforts like the Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) and the National Urban Livelihood Mission 's Shelter for Urban Homeless (SUH) promised change. Yet the numbers sleeping rough say otherwise.A major count conducted in August 2024 revealed that 1,56,369 people were sleeping on the streets between 11pm and 5.30am. The city's estimated homeless population is over 3,00,000, according to Dr Indu Prakash Singh, member of the State Level Shelter Monitoring Committee (SLSMC).'The current shelters are not enough,' said Dr Singh told TOI. 'Delhi has more shelters than many cities in the world. Govt also provides food and medicines at the shelters. But, there are not enough of them, and many people still sleep outside.'Dr Singh noted that despite a decade since the launch of the SUH scheme, shelter provision is still 90% below the requirement set by the Master Plan for Delhi city's footpaths double up as kitchens. Boundary grills become clotheslines. The underside of flyovers serve as bedrooms. Entire families survive this way—elderly people, disabled individuals, pregnant women and children alike.'Remove poverty, bring jobs everywhere, and homelessness will disappear,' said Dr Singh. 'The tragedy of this country is that the poor are persecuted and not supported. If poverty schemes truly worked, we wouldn't be here discussing this.'He added, 'Homelessness isn't the issue. The lack of work is. The real problem is a govt deficit — not of money, but of care and commitment.'Despite government funding and court directives, shelters often stand underused or overwhelmed. A senior Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) official explained, 'The court has assigned us responsibility, but the challenge remains. Many homeless people return to the streets despite food and shelter. Some families stay for decades, others never come. We rescue at least 40–50 people daily. They use the night shelters but leave by morning. We urge donors to give to shelters.... We've proposed skill-based programmes for employment.'He said the issue was not just infrastructure. 'The lack of manpower (at the shelters) is a big issue. The key is creating jobs in home states to reduce migration to Delhi.'In February 2025, during a hearing on urban homelessness, the Supreme Court posed a pointed question: should jobs take precedence over handouts?While recognising the urgency of shelter, the court asked for a balance in welfare policies. It challenged whether one-time benefits were sustainable, especially when structural gaps in employment and housing BJP, ahead of its election promises, had pledged to remove homelessness entirely if it formed the government. Yet realities on the ground suggest long-term plans remain to Dr Singh, DUSIB—primarily an engineering body—has been burdened with social responsibilities that should fall under welfare departments. 'Govt must come up with a holistic policy on this — at central and state levels,' he Centre for Holistic Development (CHD) also believes that short-term schemes aren't Kumar Aledia, executive director of CHD, said: 'The cityscape may be important, but addressing the problem of homelessness is also crucial.' He stressed the need for structured efforts: 'Long-term planning, like the five-year plans we had earlier. There were discussions about housing rights for the homeless then.... We need at least five years of dedicated effort, especially for housing policies. Marginalised sections can contribute to the Smart City projects too.'He added, 'Homeless people would have to be brought to the mainstream.'Suchita Kacker Meena, a Delhi resident, offered a citizen's perspective. 'Sustainable solutions to homelessness lie in building more shelters, creating job opportunities and ensuring effective implementation of rehabilitation programmes.'This sentiment is echoed in many neighbourhoods where the homeless have become part of the local landscape—visible but largely there are schemes, food vans, medicines, and occasional rescue drives, the core issue remains unaddressed—how does a city care for those it sees every day but rarely notices?With half the required shelters missing and few clear roadmaps ahead, Delhi's homeless continue to survive in fragments—half-visible in crowded streets and half-forgotten in public plans.(With inputs from TOI)
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Lakhs homeless in Delhi, little planning on their relief
New Delhi: Below the city's flyovers, across busy pavements and near markets, there are faces we pass by every day. They are Delhi's homeless hundreds — barefoot, faces streaked with dust, squatting on the hard ground under torn tarpaulin or selling their wares at traffic crossings. Among those who end up on the streets, many come to the city seeking a better life but end up on the pavement. There have been talks of schemes to make their lot better, such as the Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE). There are night shelters for the homeless, but thousands still sleep on the roadside, battling hunger, harsh weather and cold concrete. Dr Indu Prakash Singh, a member of the State Level Shelter Monitoring Committee (SLSMC), Delhi, in inputs for the UN-Habitat global report, has highlighted the scale of the issue. He cited a survey from Aug 2024. During this survey, 1,56,369 people were counted as sleeping on Delhi's streets between 11pm and 5.30am. The estimated homeless population in the city is over 3,00,000. Women, children, the elderly, the disabled, pregnant women, the mentally ill and those recovering from addiction or illnesses are the most vulnerable. "The current shelters are not enough," he said. "Delhi has more shelters than many cities in the world. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Govt also provides food and medicines at the shelters. But, there are not enough of them, and many people still sleep outside. The National Urban Livelihood Mission's Shelter for Urban Homeless (SUH) scheme, launched in 2013, was meant to change this. But even after 10 years, the challenge remains." Dr Singh added that the city's shelter capacity falls short by almost 90% of the requirement under the Master Plan for Delhi, 2021. The impact of the homeless on the city's landscape is visible. Suchita Kacker Meena, a Delhi resident, said: "Sustainable solutions to homelessness lie in building more shelters, creating job opportunities and ensuring effective implementation of rehabilitation programmes." For the homeless, boundary grills become clotheslines, footpaths become kitchens, and spaces under flyovers are makeshift homes. The homeless sell balloons, toys and trinkets on the road. A DUSIB official said: "The court has assigned us responsibility, but the challenge remains. Many homeless people return to the streets despite food and shelter. Some families stay for decades, others never come. We rescue at least 40–50 people daily. They use the night shelters but leave by morning. We urge donors to give to shelters.... We've proposed skill-based programmes for employment." He added that the "lack of manpower (at the shelters) is a big issue. The key is creating jobs in home states to reduce migration to Delhi." BJP had guaranteed removing homelessness if it formed a govt. In Feb 2025, while hearing a case on urban homelessness, Supreme Court questioned if offering jobs would be better than giving freebies. While it acknowledged the need for shelter for the homeless was a priority, it stressed the importance of a balance in welfare policies. Experts say the root of the issue is deeper — gaps in housing policies, long-term support and lack of inclusion. "Remove poverty, bring jobs everywhere, and homelessness will disappear," Dr Singh said. "The tragedy of this country is that the poor are persecuted and not supported. If poverty schemes truly worked, we wouldn't be here discussing this." He said that homelessness "isn't the issue. The lack of work is. The real problem is a govt deficit — not of money, but of care and commitment." Many times, the social welfare department puts all responsibility on DUSIB, he said. "but DUSIB is an engineering body, not a welfare body.... Govt must come up with a holistic policy on this — at central and state levels." Sunil Kumar Aledia, executive director of the Centre for Holistic Development (CHD), said: "The cityscape may be important, but addressing the problem of homelessness is also crucial." He added that the solution lay in "long-term planning, like the five-year plans we had earlier. There were discussions about housing rights for the homeless then.... We need at least five years of dedicated effort, especially for housing policies. Marginalised sections can contribute to the Smart City projects too." He added that homeless people would have to be "brought to the mainstream."
Irish Independent
15-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Emergency repairs carried out on leaking theatre roof at Sligo University Hospital
That's according to Minister of State Marian Harkin who says the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has intervened in the matter. Minister Harkin said, 'Along with my two colleagues, Frank Feighan TD and Eamon Scanlon TD, I met with three orthopaedic surgeons from SUH and had a detailed discussion on conditions in the orthopaedic operating theatre where a leaking roof posed significant challenges for elective surgeries and patient safety. We contacted Minister Carroll MacNeill and she assured us she would give it urgent attention. 'I warmly welcome her intervention and the fact that emergency repair works have already been completed, and most importantly, the entire roof is scheduled for full replacement this year,' Minister Harkin said. She also welcomed plans for a series of follow-up meetings between clinicians and HSE management is scheduled to ensure progress is monitored throughout the year and to support the restoration of a full range of elective orthopaedic surgeries. Minister Harkin further acknowledged the Minister's renewed commitment to continued healthcare development in the Northwest as outlined in the HSE Capital Plan 2025, which includes major infrastructure upgrades at Sligo University Hospital. These investments include: The delivery of a multi-service block development, currently at detailed design stage, which will offer a wide range of integrated services upon completion. A 42-bed block, with construction set to commence this summer. A new 26-bed block, already operational. A new CT scanner recently installed. 'The delivery of these capital projects is a testament to the Government's commitment to enhancing healthcare capacity in the North West. I will continue to work to ensure that projects move forward efficiently and that our region receives the investment it needs for high-quality, modern healthcare infrastructure.' 'We must look critically at how we deliver major capital projects like those planned at SUH—from procurement to design and execution—to ensure value for money and timely delivery for patients and staff alike,' Minister Harkin said.
Irish Independent
05-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Sod turned on €30m new 42 bed ward at Sligo University Hospital
The new 42 bed ward is seen as a key priority for Sligo University Hospital is to increase and expand patient facilities to meet the growing demand for acute hospital services in the region. Building the new 42 bed ward block is critical to the plan and the hospital says it is committed to progressing the new beds as quickly as possible. Minister Carroll MacNeill turned the sod on the site of the new ward block development, with a contract construction in excess of €30m and an estimated completion time of Q4 2027. The unit will include two 21 bed wards comprising of single en-suite rooms with ancillary accommodation and additional shell-and-core area for future development of Cardiology CT and expansion of Day Services. This provides an interim solution to secure additional medical beds over the next two to three years, in advance of a longer term plan to develop a multi-service block over the next 8 years. Minister Carroll MacNeill also officially opened 26 beds in the SUH offsite ward located at St John's Community Hospital. This facility began receiving patients in January of this year and provides additional bed capacity and improved accommodation for patients as well as easing patient flow from the Emergency Department and throughout the hospital. The additional beds were part of the capital funding from the HSE 2024 Capital Plan, costing in excess of €2.5m for the design, build and equipping of the ward. The medical offsite ward, which is a specialised facility, provides structured medical support to patients who meet the criteria for the ward and will continue to benefit from medical supervision and therapeutic support provided by a full team of health and social care professionals in a calm environment. It is suitable for patients who would benefit from an additional few days under the care of hospital staff. ADVERTISEMENT A second CT scanner at SUH was opened by Minister Carroll MacNeill as part of her visit. The service will be operational from May 5th 2025 and will greatly add to the diagnostic capacity at the hospital; reducing waiting times for outpatient appointments and reducing turnaround times for emergency department patients. SUH Radiology department has seen significant increase in demand for CT scans over the past ten years, growing by 56% between 2014 and 2024. Having a second CT scanner will allow for continuation of essential cover for trauma, stroke, emergency and inpatient services, improved GP access and provide in-house contingency if a CT scanner becomes non-operational. This fully supports the Sláintecare goal of treating patients as close to home where clinically safe and appropriate. Minister Carroll MacNeill said: 'I am delighted to be in Sligo University Hospital today to see first-hand the infrastructural investment and to thank staff for their work. 'Developments like the new off-site ward at St John's Hospital, are responding to increased patient demand and enhancing capacity to provide timely, quality care to patients. 'Together with the new ward block development under construction and the new CT scanner, these developments are an important step in our ongoing efforts to provide modern patient facilities in which world-class care is delivered for the benefit of the whole region.' John Fitzmaurice, HSE IHA Manager Sligo, Leitrim, West Cavan, South Donegal said: 'We are delighted to have Minister Carroll MacNeill here to perform these official openings. This is a great day for health services in Sligo. 'Today marks significant investment in our local services and will see improved waiting times and greater inpatient care for those in Sligo.' Grainne McCann, Hospital Manager, said: 'These new developments are very welcome additions to the hospital. Our new offsite ward at St John's has had a positive effect on patient flow and overcrowding in SUH on site while the new 42 bed day ward will enable greater quality of service and improved patient outcomes where patients receive care in an appropriate setting in a timelier manner. 'Meanwhile, having a second CT scanner will ensure continuous coverage for trauma, stroke, emergency, and inpatient services, improve GP access and provide in-house contingency.' Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Declan Bree said he was very pleased to be present for the official opening of two significant and transformative developments at Sligo University Hospital: the Medical Offsite Ward and the installation of a second CT scanner. 'These projects are milestones in regional healthcare. They represent progress not just in infrastructure, but in care for patients, families, and the dedicated staff who support them. 'The new 26-bed Medical Offsite Ward, located at St John's Community Hospital, has already started making a meaningful difference since it opened its doors in January. 'It provides not only much-needed additional bed capacity but also a calm and structured environment for patients on the path to recovery. 'With a full team of healthcare professionals — from doctors and nurses to therapists and social care staff — this ward ensures that patients receive comprehensive care tailored to their individual needs. 'It is an innovative response to the ongoing challenge of patient flow and overcrowding, especially within our Emergency Department. 'It is a testament to what can be achieved when vision is matched with collaboration and commitment. 'A second CT scanner at Sligo University Hospital, will elevate diagnostic capabilities, reducing wait times and ensuring continuity for trauma, stroke, and emergency care. It's a critical investment in timely, life-saving services. 'And while today is about acknowledging what has been achieved, I feel it is also important to convey the concerns of many people living in Sligo and the region, including my Council colleagues, of all political persuasions. 'Last year Sligo University Hospital was one of the most overcrowded facilities in the country. 'The hospital saw over 7,500 patients treated on trolleys, placing it in the top five most overcrowded hospitals nationwide. 'The overcrowding is not a new phenomenon; Sligo has consistently been in the top four or five overcrowded hospitals in the country. 'In recent years we had consultants who are based in the hospital, send emails to the Department of Health to highlight the appalling conditions for patients and staff at the hospital 'Such a move by medical consultants was unprecedented and it reflected the deep concern they shared regarding the continuing failure to have the crisis addressed. 'And only this week we had an Orthopaedic consultant describe the Orthopaedic theatre complex in the hospital as entirely unfit for purpose and calling for the urgent development of the planned Multiservice Surgical Block. 'Because of the lack of sufficient beds, the hospital does not have the ability to absorb the number of patients, who consistently end up lying on trolleys. 'A bed occupancy of 85% is generally considered to be the limit at which hospitals are able to work safely and effectively. 'However, Sligo University Hospital has consistently had an average bed occupancy rate of in excess of 100%. 'This is clearly unacceptable and it puts huge pressure on doctors and nurses. 'As far back as November 2022 we heard the Taoiseach tell the Dáil that construction of the proposed new 42 bed ward block was intended to commence in the first quarter of 2023. 'In the intervening period we have had delay after delay with various and numerous announcements being made. 'So now let us look to the future. I certainly acknowledge that you are a new Minister for Health and that you must be given the space to implement policy and deliver. 'In this context the turning of the sod on the new 42-bed block development here at Sligo University Hospital today is important. 'This is a project that will deliver two modern 21-bed wards, all with single en-suite rooms, improving infection control, dignity, and patient comfort. 'This development is a vital interim measure as we await the development of the planned Multiservice Block. 'Importantly, it will also prepare the ground for the future expansion of cardiology CT services and day services — ensuring that the hospital remains responsive to the evolving needs of our community. 'I want to take this opportunity to thank you Minister for your presence here today and for your support of these developments. 'To the management and staff of Sligo University Hospital, and to all those involved in planning, designing, and delivering these critical projects — thank you. "Your efforts are helping to build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system for the people of Sligo and the wider region. 'We must now increase our investment in our hospital and in health. 'And let us always remember that at the heart of every hospital bed, every scan, and every new building — is a person who matters,' said Cllr Bree.
