Rights organisation starts Delhi homeless headcount at 100 hotspots

New Delhi: A civil rights organisation, known as Shahri Adhikar Manch-Begharon ke Sath (SAM-BKS), has started an initiative to count the city's homeless population.Their mission involves conducting a series of "headcounts" across various neighbourhoods, with surveys planned for each season — summer, monsoon and winter.The group started the headcount on Aug 27 and is likely to come up with consolidated data in the coming week. The headcount is being conducted by volunteers who are part of multiple human rights organisations that have come under the banner of SAM-BKS in collaboration with the state-level shelter monitoring committee, a member of the group, Indu Prakash, said.The 2011 census defines a homeless person as someone who doesn't live in a census house and lives in open spaces like roadsides, railway platforms, pavements, temples, pipes or under flyovers and staircases.The Census of 2011 counted 46,724 homeless people in Delhi. Independent experts estimate that at least 2,00,000–2,50,000 people live in homelessness in Delhi."The aim behind the survey is to get the exact estimate and fill the gap. A lot of people, especially from marginalised sections, became homeless during Covid. Following this, in the last year, the city has witnessed multiple demolitions, rendering a huge population homeless, and this headcount will give us a clear picture," said Aishwarya Ayushmaan, a member of SAM-BKS.The group of volunteers has identified over 100 hotspots which have a large population of homeless people. These hotspots include labour markets, religious places and market areas. "The homeless are primarily found where commercial hubs and job opportunities are concentrated. For example, a large number of homeless people live in the heart of Yamuna Pushta, attracted by its role as a key labour centre offering access to employment. Similarly, places like Nizamuddin are hotspots due to the presence of religious centres that distribute goods to those in need," told the member.The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, the principal agency addressing homelessness in Delhi, operates a network of 195 shelters, including 82 permanent structures in existing govt buildings, 103 porta cabins, and 10 shelters constructed under a ‘special drive'.