Abstract :
Homelessness is a global burden. It is estimated that 100 million people are homeless worldwide according
to United Nation estimates in the year of 2005. It is a major issue in developing nation such as India. The
2011 census counts there are 449,761 houseless households/ families and 17,73,040 homeless people in
India - 52.9 % in urban areas, and 47.1% in rural areas. Homelessnesss is multifactorial in origin. Some of
common reasons are poverty, drug addiction, natural disaster and war, family problem and unemployment.
Homeless people are very fragile, physically and mentally, they prone to victim of physical and social assault.
We need to recognize homelessness as a major public health problem and attempt to target this group for
special care in order to promote equity in health system as part of Sustainable Development Goals. The
Government should undertake physical upgradation of informal settlements including different types of
slum areas; unidentified, identified, recognised, notified and unauthorised housing accompanied by the
providing access to roads and basic amenities like electricity, water supply and sanitation.
Keyword :
Homelessness, Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations