Teynampet zone has recorded the largest number of mentally-ill persons who are homeless while Royapuram zone has the highest number of homeless women in the city. 
| Photo Credit: M. SRINATH

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Over 60% of the homeless persons identified in the city belong to vulnerable groups, particularly women, children, elderly and the mentally ill persons.

Only 39.46% of the homeless identified in the survey, which began on January 25 in the 15 zones of the city, are able-bodied men. Most of them are unemployed. 

R. Manikandan, 31, who recently got a job as a store keeper in a hotel with a monthly salary of ₹16000 said he was asked to leave the job after seven days when he told the manager that he had studied only up to ninth standard. “I studied in Chennai Corporation School in Gopalapuram. All I want is a job and a house,” said Manikandan, who is now homeless.

Many of such homeless persons in Chennai have demanded housing from the government. “Housing is the major need of the families who have been living for over two generations, particularly in the Royapuram zone covering the central business district of George Town,” said an official of Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC).

The civic body roped in NULM staff working in 200 GCC divisions for the survey. “As on February 14, a total of 9623 individuals have been identified as homeless people in the street. Volunteers included 75 students from Madras School of Social Work, Ambedkar College and Hindustan Arts and Science College students, and 200 NULM staff supported by GCC sanitary inspectors and sanitary officers. 

According to the emerging trend about homelessness in Chennai, the zones of Tiruvottiyur, Royapuram, Teynampet and Kodambakkam have the largest number of homeless persons.

“Northern region covering areas such as George Town, Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram and Royapuram have more families that are homeless. Central and southern zones have individuals that are homeless,” said an official. 

New hotspots have been identified in the southern zones, with 539 homeless persons in Valasaravakkam, 417 in Alandur, 482 in Adyar, 413 in Perungudi and 177 in Sholinganallur. The largest number of homeless children have been identified in Royapuram zone (343), Manali (199), Tiruvottiyur (175) and Valasaravakkam (115).

Teynampet zone has recorded the largest number of mentally ill persons who are homeless while Royapuram zone has the highest number of homeless women in the city.

While Royapuram and Teynampet have more than 1000 homeless persons, each of the four zones, Royapuram, Tiruvottiyur, Madhavaram and Teynampet, have recorded more than 200 homeless families.

“These are initial trends. Once the rapid survey and Focussed Group Discussion are completed, we will plan interventions for the homeless,” said an official.