Mobile Platform for Affordable Housing and Shelter Resource Mapping

Objective: To enable homeless and low-income individuals in urban India to locate nearby affordable housing and shelter resources in real time.

Urban homelessness remains a critical issue in India, with thousands living without secure shelter or access to affordable rental options. Many are unaware of nearby government shelters, NGO-run hostels, or low-cost housing schemes, resulting in underutilization of resources and continued vulnerability. This problem directly impacts SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, focusing on inclusive urban spaces.

The proposed solution is a mobile and web platform that aggregates available affordable housing, shelters, and resource centers from public and NGO data, enabling real-time location-based search and information access. The platform will leverage open datasets, crowd-sourced updates, and partnerships with local organizations to ensure accuracy and coverage.

Key features include geospatial mapping of shelters, vacancy status, eligibility criteria, route guidance, and multilingual support. The working prototype will integrate data from sources like data.gov.in, OpenStreetMap, and local NGOs, and provide a user-friendly interface tested with real beneficiaries and stakeholders.

Measurable impact will include increased shelter occupancy rates, improved accessibility for homeless individuals, and actionable insights for policy makers. The solution can scale across cities and incorporate additional resources like food banks or employment centers, fostering sustainable community support networks.