Compassion in Action: Chennai Corporation’s Urgent Mission to Rescue Homeless Lives Before the Monsoon
Chennai Corporation is gearing up to launch a new survey aimed at identifying homeless individuals who may have been overlooked in previous assessments. This initiative comes as the city prepares for the Northeast monsoon, with the civic body emphasizing the urgency of providing shelter to its most vulnerable residents. In a recent meeting at Ripon Buildings, officials confirmed that volunteers will be deployed to various neighborhoods to pinpoint those who have yet to be accounted for in existing records.
Currently, the Corporation has identified over 13,000 homeless residents scattered throughout the city. However, many still lack essential identification documents such as Aadhaar, voter ID cards, and ration cards, which are crucial for accessing various government welfare programs. “Many homeless residents have demanded houses,” commented a Chennai Corporation official, reflecting the acute need for stable housing solutions.
Among those seeking assistance is R. Manikandan, a former resident of Royapettah who shared his family’s struggles. Manikandan has been actively seeking a home in Royapettah to ensure his three children can receive an education without the disruption caused by the elements. Previously, they had to vacate a rented accommodation due to rent arrears after their children fell ill. He lamented, “Two of my three children are going to school in Royapettah. They miss school during rains as their books are drenched. So, I tried getting rental accommodation, but failed.”
Chennai Corporation’s City Health Officer Jagadeesan stated that the civic body aims to facilitate the issuance of Aadhaar and other identity cards for homeless residents. This step is essential to enable their access to welfare measures, including housing support. Vanessa Peter, founder of the Integrated Rehabilitation for Care and Development of Urban Communities (IRCDUC), highlighted the dire conditions faced by many homeless individuals. An assessment conducted by IRCDUC in September revealed alarming figures: 945 elderly individuals and 1,430 children are living on the streets. The survey also identified 691 women, 94 girls, 123 boys, 282 elderly women, 522 elderly men, 14 transgender persons, and 20 individuals with psychosocial disabilities sleeping on sidewalks without proper shelter.
Peter emphasized the severe risks these groups face during extreme weather conditions. “We have seen elderly persons, pregnant women, children, and persons with mental illness in extremely vulnerable situations without any proper shelter,” she noted. She further explained that even light rains lead to children missing school since their uniforms and books get soaked, with no chance to dry them out.
To enhance interventions aimed at helping the homeless, there is an urgent need for a collaborative platform that aligns various government schemes and departments, ensuring that those in distress can access their entitlements effectively. As Chennai prepares for the monsoon, the efforts to assist the homeless remain critical, reflecting the city’s commitment to protecting its most vulnerable citizens.
Published – September 22, 2025, 05:52 am IST
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chennai-corporation-to-trace-left-out-homeless-persons-to-find-them-shelter-ahead-of-monsoon/article70077809.ece
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Publish Date: 2025-09-22 05:52:00
