**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 975 concerning shelters for the urban homeless in Himachal Pradesh, specifically addressing the number of shelters, funds utilized, operational guidelines, and assessments conducted under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) as of February 5, 2025. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs provides details on the state's responsibility for implementation, funding support, monitoring mechanisms, and the impact of the SUH program.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **State Responsibility:**
* Rehabilitation of homeless persons is primarily the responsibility of States/Union Territories.
* **Shelter Sanctioning & Operation:**
* 20 Shelters for Urban Homeless (SUHs) were sanctioned and operated in Himachal Pradesh from FY 2015-16 to 2025-26 under DAY-NULM.
* No new SUHs were sanctioned in the last 3 years.
* **Funding & Utilization:**
* Rs. 7 Crore was released to the Government of Himachal Pradesh under DAY-NULM from FY 2022-23 to 2024-25 (until September 30, 2024).
* Rs. 16.70 lakhs were utilized under the SUH component.
* **Implementation & Monitoring:**
* The SUH component's implementation is the responsibility of States/UTs.
* The Ministry supports States/UTs by providing O&M Fund for shelters for the initial 5 years.
* State Level Shelter Monitoring Committees (SLSMC) are set up in States/UTs, including Himachal Pradesh, to review and monitor shelter progress.
* The Ministry issues advisories for action plans during severe weather.
* **Assessment:**
* A NITI Aayog report from September 2025 found that SUH has improved access to dignified living conditions.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Government of Himachal Pradesh**
* **Impact:** Has received funding for SUH under DAY-NULM and is responsible for implementing and monitoring the program.
* **Action Required:** Continue to implement and monitor SUH programs, develop action plans for severe weather, and utilize funds effectively.
**Stakeholder: Urban Homeless in Himachal Pradesh**
* **Impact:** Affected by the availability and quality of shelters provided under the SUH component.
* **Action Required:** Utilize available shelter services and provide feedback on the adequacy of services to relevant authorities.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs**
* **Impact:** Responsible for providing funding and issuing guidelines/advisories to States/UTs for the effective implementation of SUH.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor the progress of SUH programs, issue advisories as needed, and provide financial support to States/UTs.
**Stakeholder: State Level Shelter Monitoring Committees (SLSMC)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for review and monitoring of the progress of shelters within States/UTs
* **Action Required:** Continue to review and monitor progress of shelters within States/UTs.
Key Entities Referenced
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM): A central scheme that includes a component for shelters for the urban homeless.
Shelter for Urban Homeless (SUH): A component under central schemes providing night shelters (rain baseras) to the urban homeless.
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: The Union ministry responsible for implementing and monitoring schemes related to urban homelessness.
Himachal Pradesh: The state where the implementation and impact of the scheme is focused.
State Level Shelter Monitoring Committees (SLSMC): Committees in States/UTs, including Himachal Pradesh, set up to review and monitor the progress of shelters, as per Supreme Court orders.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 975
TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 05, 2025
SHELTERS FOR URBAN HOMELESS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
NO. 975. MS KANGNA RANAUT:
Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) the number of night shelters (rain baseras) sanctioned and operated
under Central schemes including the Shelter for Urban Homeless (SUH)
component of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Urban Livelihoods
Mission (DAY-NULM) in Himachal Pradesh, during the last three years;
(b) the details of the funds released and utilised under these schemes for
rain baseras during the said period;
(c) the guidelines and monitoring mechanisms prescribed by the
Government to ensure proper functioning, maintenance and accessibility
of night shelters for vulnerable groups; and
(d) whether any Central assessment or review has been conducted to
identify gaps in shelter coverage in small and hilly towns of Himachal
Pradesh and if so, the details thereof along with corrective measures
taken/proposed to be taken in this regard?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)
(a): As per seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, Land &
Colonization are State subjects. Accordingly, primary responsibility rests
with the States / Union Territories (UTs) for rehabilitation of homeless
persons. Government of India supplements the efforts of State
Governments/UTs through various programs and schematic
interventions. As reported by Government of Himachal Pradesh, a total
of 20 Shelters for Urban Homeless (SUHs) (from FY 2015-16 to 2025-26)
were sanctioned and operated under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–
National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM). During the last 3 years,
no new SUHs were sanctioned.
(b): Under DAY-NULM, Rs. 7 Crore had been released to Government of
Himachal Pradesh (from FY 2022-23 to 2024-25 till 30 September, 2024),
in a consolidated manner for all components of the Mission. Out of which
around Rs. 16.70 lakhs had been utilised under SUH component.
…2/--2-
(c): The implementation of SUH component is the responsibility of
States/UTs. The Ministry supported State/UT by providing O&M Fund for
shelters for the initial first 5 years of their operation. Further, as per
Orders of Hon’ble Supreme Court, State Level Shelter Monitoring
Committees (SLSMC) under the chairmanship of Secretary (Retd.) have
been set up in the States/UTs including in Himachal Pradesh to review
and monitor the progress of shelters. Moreover, the Ministry from time-
to-time issued advisories to States / UTs to make action plans for
necessary arrangement in the shelters during the severe cold and heat
conditions.
(d): NITI Aayog in its report published in September, 2025 titled as
‘Evaluation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes in Package 4-Urban
Transformation and Skill Development’ has found that SUH has improved
access to dignified living conditions, with 90% of residents confirming
adequate services.
*****