A sustainable model for Shelter Homes Dr Nasir Javed

A sustainable Model for Shelter Homes

Dr Nasir Javed 

While the Government’s vision for building shelter home in cities is a commendable initiative, there are fears that an incomplete evaluation of viability and lack of attention to details may hamper the long term sustainability of the project. As is the case with countless well-meaning initiatives past administrations have taken, the question is often raised of a future when the Prime Minister is gone or is tasked with more pressing matters? 

Considering the rapid rates of urbanization and population growth, are these shelter homes meant only for a few thousand or aim to scale over a given period of time? While answering these questions, it is also imperative to study, analyze, and import sustainable practices from similar models abroad while mapping the institutional design. The following key elements of the design need to be addressed, upfront: 

Sustainability is the fundamental concern. This could stand a better chance, if simplicity seeps into every rung of the supply chain. It is imperative to favor standardization by choosing simple building designs over lavish photo-opportunities that boast concealed piping, cosmetic touchups, and require high energy costs. Architectural insights need to play a role in designing weather-protected and well-ventilated spaces that minimize maintenance costs. High ceilings, thick walls, ample fly-proof windows and preferably verandahs on east & west are some of the energy saving factors.

  

The same approach would also favor the usage of cotton-filled razais over blankets as they are easier to sanitize and re-use over a longer period of time. The fancy razais we see in the photo shoots would be difficult to store and wash.

Some of the shelter homes are being furnished with foam mattresses, which again would become smelly and unhygienic in less than a season. Charpais offer benefits while remaining versatile, easily moveable and storable.

Attached bathrooms with concealed piping are difficult to maintain, even in private homes. It is easier to build and maintain a row of separated bathrooms, with open pipelines instead of attached bathrooms which requires more complex plumbing.  

Determining the criteria for occupants is critical for these facilities. The most important element of these homes is the people living there. We need to have a robust system to manage entry and exit. Who is allowed to live there? Some people would be random visitors, like for a night or two, while some are likely to be permanent residents, like handicapped, old and mentally unwell. A third category is daily laborers, who would find it less expensive than renting a room. This would perhaps mean having a diverse category of homes, depending upon the inmates’ categories ranging from permanent destitute homes to emergency night stay places during extreme weather.

We need to a daily monitoring of every inmate, to make sure that everyone is not only properly looked after but to ensure that the neediest benefit, as demand would always outnumber supply. In addition, we need to avoid these homes from becoming hideouts for criminals. We need some skill building activities for able bodied job-less adults. We need to have a program for graduation of these able bodied men to move out, once they can afford to and are made capable of. A networking with appropriate programs and NGOs would be necessary.

A simultaneous step that is absolutely essential is to strict enforcement of the ban on beggary. While most of the street beggars form part of organized mafias, who need to be just removed, the small category of genuine destitute should be accommodated in long stay shelter homes, with plans for skill building and job opportunities. This could be a major step if we can make our streets and signals beggar free.

Keeping all this in mind, the management of these homes is as important as the facilities being provided. Who shall run these homes is a big question mark. The traditional mode of dumping this function to the DCs and ACs might work as a campaign and offer short term political mileage, but we all know is not sustainable. Perhaps the best option could be to make a role for registered and well reputed NGOs, CBOs and even Mosque committees of the nearby mosque. The work requires empathy and a regard for higher human values, than mere bureaucratic management. A formula for making payments on type of facilities and number of beds could be worked out for payments. However, a supervisory committee, under some local minister, MPA, Mayor or even DC could be formulated for monthly inspections and complaints redressal etc.

All said and done, the million dollar question still remains, as to how to finance the whole initiative with a sustainable model. The government won’t be able to finance it, we all know. Pakistan is one of the countries with the highest charity rates. The government can place separate charity boxes at mosques, mazaars, markets and even roadside for people to donate. Once we all see the system working and no beggars on the streets, there would be no shortage of funds. Let the Government provide seed money of a few billions from the poverty alleviation & ehsaas fund, make a trust of the same and enhance it on charities. Transparency and quality of service is the best bet, with a central Trust Committee to manage the funds.

Last but not the least, this all requires some institution to manage this huge system. But institutions requires regulatory framework. The past history shows that we often forget to make this framework and just rely on verbal orders, PowerPoint presentations, minutes of meetings, directives and increasingly, social media tools. This is never enough. So we need real good rules, regulations and SOPs. Let’s spend some good time and effort with expertise to develop a sound set of these rules that govern all this system.

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