Sheltering homeless is a challenge for civic body.
Chennai: From 37 night shelters in June this year to 47 as of now, the Chennai City Corporation’s efforts to rescue the homeless of the city is a fact requiring applause. According to the mandate of the Supreme Court, Chennai needs around 75 night shelters. “We go on periodic day and night surveys to identify homeless persons. Our coordinated efforts with police prove helpful,” said a coordinator of a night shelter in Besant Nagar. The missions are keen to rescue children and house them in our shelters as they are subject to exploitation of various forms by the families themselves, she added.
Officials said that it is difficult to convince families and elderly individuals. “Most families ask for houses or night shelters close to their current habitations. In this case, we convince them to give us at least their infants and children to safeguard them from harsh weather conditions.”
“I have been approached to be housed in shelters but not with my family. So I prefer to stay here where my family can either stay or visit me,” said an elderly lady living under Kodambakkam bridge.
When asked about measures ahead of the rainy season, S. Asha Parekh Nanthiny, the Corporation’s overall coordinator for the shelter programme said, “We are have asked all night shelters to see if there is anyone in the areas adjacent to their shelters and rescue them immediately”.
Currently, there are particular spaces to accommodate children, women, men, the specially challenged and transgenders.
