Socio-economic condition of the houseless population in rural areas
Samuel, M.J.; Lingaraju, M.; Bhat, T.N.
Indian Journal of Social Work 57(2): 221-233
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5634 Document Number: 340901
An examination is presented on the living conditions of the homeless people in rural areas of India, census data from Raichur district are presented. Most of the homeless belong to the scheduled castes, usually migrants moving around frequently in search of jobs. Non-workers among them derive a living by begging. None of the children are sent to school. Demographically this is a problem group characterized by very early marriage, high fertility and high mortality. Although there is a surplus of vacant houses in the countryside, these people are obliged to live roofless. Ignoring their needs entails huge social costs in the form of wasted manpower, high mortality and illiteracy. It is important to introduce policies that include not only housing provision, but also health, nutrition, family planning and education services. It is argued that measures to help the homeless should be part of broader structural policies designed to improve the standards of living and welfare of the low-income population in the whole country.