Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any data on the number of homeless people living in the State capital cities of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to reduce the number of homeless people living on the streets; and
(e) the details of the policies in place to provide affordable houses to the homeless?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS
[SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI]
(a) to (e): As per Census–2011, total homeless population of the State Capital cities of the Country is 2,91,804.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is implementing Shelter for Urban Homeless (SUH) Scheme as a component of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) to provide all-weather permanent shelters equipped with essential services to the urban homeless in a phased manner.
The operational guidelines of SUH mandate conducting a systematic survey of urban homeless. Total 18 States/UTs have so far completed the survey. As per the survey, the number of urban homeless persons identified so far is 1,59,979.
In pursuance of the Government’s vision of “Housing for All” by 2022, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is also implementing Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) [PMAY(U)] since 25.06.2015 for providing assistance to States/Union Territories (UTs) in addressing the housing requirement of the people belonging to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Lower Income Group (LIG) and Middle Income Group (MIG) categories in urban areas.
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