Assessment of Housing Work done by an NGO over 10 Years

SHA was commissioned by the Center for Labor Research and Action (CLRA) to assess their work on housing in the informal settlements and slums of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, over the previous decade or so. The research and report were funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation that wanted an independent view on the approach, processes and outcomes of the work done by CLRA.

• SHA reviewed scores of documents generated by CLRA on their work with these marginalized communities (mostly migrant workers) and their informal, unplanned settlements (often squatting on public or marginal lands).
• SHA conducted extensive primary field work in settlements in Ahmedabad, spending some days at approximately 10 such settlements where CLRA has been active.
• SHA developed the framing and reported on the (commendable) achievements of CLRA in addressing key issues for these highly marginalized communities.

The report was launched in an online public event in March, 2023, giving wide publicity to the work of CLRA and bringing focus on the question of housing for migrant workers and other marginalized communities in our cities.

SHA also developed ‘video posters’ that outlined in a summary form the pros and cons of different options for improving housing conditions in our cities. The video posters covered options such as rehabilitation (into vertical units), upgrading of slums, sites and service schemes as well as rental scheme options. The English version of the video poster is embedded below. A Hindi version is also available and can be shared on request.