CHENNAI: The GCC has adopted a first-of-its-kind operational framework to regulate and strengthen the functioning of shelters for the homeless in the city, by passing a resolution at the council meeting on Friday.
The framework seeks to address existing gaps in GCC-run shelters and facilitate the creation of additional facilities, including recovery homes, transit homes and other specialised shelters.
An official from the Gender and Policy Lab said a community development wing would implement the framework, with a monitoring committee overseeing its functioning. “The objective is to ensure shelter for all homeless persons in the city. The framework also envisages increasing the number of shelters and introducing standard and specialised menus for senior citizens, children and persons with disabilities. Corporation Commissioner has directed officials to rescue people living under bridges,” the official added.
According to another Corporation official, plans are underway to construct more family shelters, transit homes, recovery homes and other facilities for the homeless. The framework was prepared after consultations with night shelter coordinators and research on existing systems. Transit homes are intended to support migrant workers who come to the city for short-term employment.
The Corporation is also planning to provide food three times a day in shelters and has called upon NGOs to take over the eight shelters that are currently closed within city limits. At present, the GCC operates 49 shelters for the homeless, of which 37 are general shelters and 12 are special shelters, including medical or hospital-based facilities.
Earlier, all shelters functioned under the supervision of the City Health Officer of the Public Health Department. Subsequently, as per an order issued by the Commissioner on December 1, shelter operations were transferred to the Buildings department. A memorandum issued on January 4 outlined arrangements to monitor and guide the operational framework and the work of staff engaged under the shelter scheme.
The memorandum directed that operations be streamlined by the Deputy Commissioner (Works), the City Engineer, the Superintending Engineer (Buildings) and Executive Engineers. Following a meeting with the Commissioner and senior officials on January 7, it was decided to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure and define basic requirements for the urban homeless. Based on this exercise, the document titled, ‘Operational framework for institutionalising basic services for the urban homeless through shelter scheme 2026’, was prepared.