Nivasam (Shelter for Urban Homeless) – Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas,Andhra Pradesh

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Case Study

Nivasam (Shelter for Urban Homeless)

Urban homelessness remains a persistent and complex challenge across Indian cities, affecting some of the most vulnerable populations, including destitutes, rag-pickers, street children, and single women. In response to this pressing issue, the Government of Andhra Pradesh, through the Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA), launched the Nivasam initiative under the Shelter for Urban Homeless (SUH) scheme of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM). Implemented since January 2024, Nivasam aims to provide safe, dignified, and affordable shelter while integrating digital tools and participatory governance to enhance effectiveness and impact.

The project was conceived to address several critical gaps in the existing system of urban homeless shelters. These included a lack of reliable data on occupancy and functioning, absence of a centralized monitoring framework, poor coordination among Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), NGOs, and MEPMA, and a lack of formal feedback mechanisms. Additionally, operational support from DAY-NULM was limited to five years, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of shelters. These challenges significantly hampered the ability to provide consistent, high-quality shelter services to those in need.

Nivasam was designed with a comprehensive set of objectives to overcome these challenges. Foremost among these was ensuring that every homeless urban resident has access to a safe and dignified shelter, complete with essential amenities like water, sanitation, and security. The initiative also sought to integrate beneficiaries with social welfare programs, skill development opportunities, and livelihood schemes to enable long-term socio-economic upliftment. Transparency and accountability were prioritized through the deployment of a dedicated mobile application, the Nivasam app, which enabled real-time monitoring of shelter operations and occupancy, improving decision-making and resource utilization.

The implementation process followed a participatory and structured governance approach. At the city level, Executive Committees were formed under the leadership of ULB Commissioners, including representatives from police, town planning, NGOs, and community development. At the individual shelter level, Shelter Management Committees (SMCs) were established, comprising ward members, ULB representatives, caretakers, and shelter residents. Each shelter was staffed with one full-time manager and three caretakers working in 8-hour shifts to ensure round-the-clock supervision. Women-specific shelters were managed exclusively by female staff to provide a safe and supportive environment.

A key innovation of the initiative was the Nivasam mobile application, which digitized all aspects of shelter management. The app provided access to real-time data on shelter facilities, inmate information, infrastructure, food supply, visitor logs, and bill payments. It also featured dashboards for supervisory oversight and grievance redressal mechanisms. To enhance security, CCTV surveillance systems were installed at critical points in shelters, enabling continuous live monitoring and improved safety for residents.

The foundations of Nivasam were laid as early as 2017 when a state-wide survey identified 11,173 homeless individuals across Andhra Pradesh. Between 2017 and 2024, 104 shelters with a combined capacity of 4,900 were established. These shelters offered not only temporary accommodation but also became a platform for rehabilitation and inclusion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary shelters were created to accommodate those affected, demonstrating the project’s adaptability during crises.

The outcomes of Nivasam have been significant and transformative. Many urban homeless individuals were transitioned to permanent pucca housing, while others gained access to social security schemes and sustainable livelihoods. By offering hygienic and secure accommodations, the shelters improved public health outcomes. The real-time data provided by the Nivasam app ensured transparency, enhanced accountability, and supported evidence-based planning. Most importantly, the participatory model fostered a sense of community ownership and involvement among various stakeholders.

Despite its successes, the project faced several implementation challenges. A segment of the homeless population, particularly those habituated to alcohol or smoking, refrained from using shelters due to the strict behavioral rules. Migrant workers often preferred staying near bus stands or railway stations to access early transportation, while others, accustomed to open-air sleeping, found enclosed shelter spaces uncomfortable. Some individuals with illnesses were hesitant to enter shelters due to fears of hygiene or contagion. Additionally, the availability of free food, blankets, and money from charitable groups discouraged some from seeking structured shelter.

Nivasam has demonstrated high potential for scalability and replication. Its structured governance framework, including Executive Committees and SMCs, can be replicated across other cities. The Nivasam digital platform offers a flexible, technology-driven model for monitoring and managing shelters at scale. Community participation ensures that local needs are addressed, making the approach adaptable to diverse urban contexts. The project’s integration with skill development and social welfare programs further increases its long-term impact and replicability.

Several lessons emerged from the initiative. Providing adequate training to ground-level staff is essential for ensuring the quality of shelter operations. Continuous monitoring and support are required to address on-ground challenges and maintain service standards. Additionally, data validation remains critical to ensure accurate and reliable inputs for decision-making. Updating the initial survey data from 2017 is a future priority to reflect the current scale and nature of urban homelessness accurately. Increasing awareness among potential beneficiaries and improving late-night transport accessibility to shelters are also identified as areas for improvement.

In conclusion, Nivasam represents a pioneering and transformative approach to addressing urban homelessness. By combining digital innovation with participatory governance, the project not only offers shelter but also promotes dignity, inclusion, and long-term rehabilitation. Its success lies in addressing both the immediate needs and the root causes of urban homelessness, creating a scalable model that can be replicated across Indian cities striving to build inclusive and equitable urban spaces.

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For more information, please contact:
Tej Bharath N at mdmepma2@apmepma.gov.in

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