Night Shelter

What is a Night Shelter? • A temporary accommodation facility for homeless persons • Provides: sleeping space, roof, basic sanitation • Operated by: municipal corporations, state governments, NGOs • Hindi: रैन बसेरा (Rain Basera) — literally 'place to rest for the night' • Target beneficiaries: homeless, migrant labourers, destitute elderly, pavement dwellers

Features of Night Shelters: • Open usually from evening to morning (overnight stay) • Some operate 24 hours • Basic amenities: sleeping mats/beds, toilets, drinking water • Some provide meals (especially in winter) • Separate facilities for men, women, and families in better-equipped shelters

Government Schemes:

1. NULM (National Urban Livelihoods Mission): • Launched: 2013 (replaced SJSRY) • Provides: night shelters for urban homeless • Target: homeless, beggars, street children, migrant workers • Under: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

2. Supreme Court Directions: • In 2010, the Supreme Court of India directed all state governments and ULBs to provide night shelters to all homeless persons • Ratio: minimum 1 night shelter per 1 lakh urban population

3. Delhi Night Shelters: • Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) operates night shelters • Delhi has 200+ night shelters under DUSIB • Free for homeless; include meals during winters

Urban Poverty and Night Shelters: • Urban homelessness is a major social issue in India • 2011 Census: ~17.73 lakh homeless in India • Causes of homelessness: poverty, rural-to-urban migration, unemployment, evictions • Night shelters are a welfare measure — part of social safety net

Challenges: • Inadequate number of shelters in many cities • Poor conditions in some facilities • Lack of awareness among homeless populations • Overcrowding during winter months

Related Terms: • Dharamshala — free accommodation for pilgrims/travellers (usually at religious sites) • Aashray — another term for shelter in Hindi • Urban homeless: counted separately in Census under 'houseless population'