Homes for homeless

The government has identified nearly five lakh people in Jammu and Kashmir without permanent housing with an aim to provide them permanent shelter marks a significant moment in the Centre’s outreach to vulnerable populations in the region. This praiseworthy initiative has the potential to uplift countless families long deprived of the basic dignity of a stable home. The revelation made by the Union Agriculture Minister during his visit to J&K highlights a problem that though often overlooked, is neither new nor minor. It is both encouraging and essential that the government has not just acknowledged the scale of the issue but also committed to resolving it through existing schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Housing is not merely about providing four walls and a roof; it is about ensuring security, enabling education, improving health outcomes, and fostering a sense of belonging. However, the success of this endeavor depends on more than promises. Implementation on the ground has historically been the Achilles’ heel of well-intended policies. The administration must ensure that beneficiary lists are drawn up transparently and with community input, so that no deserving family is left out due to bureaucratic hurdles or political favoritism. Simultaneously, safeguards must be put in place to prevent corruption or misallocation of funds. Moreover, providing homes must be just the beginning. Adequate infrastructure, access to clean water, electricity, schools and healthcare must accompany housing development to ensure these new settlements do not become modern-day ghettos.