Our Mission

From the 1.4 billion people (and growing) India is home to, over 19 million do not have access to or own a safe home. For an economy developing at an exponential pace, these numbers are concerning – after all, they indicate how deep-seated hierarchies have pushed millions to socioeconomic vulnerability across the nation. When we examine available data closely, we see that of the 19 million people, 18.78 million reside in urban spaces. Across different Indian cities, we also see similar concerns repeat: homeless families, inadequate housing, lack of clean spaces and sanitation, and congested neighborhoods (Afzal Sofi, Al Jazeera). 

If we look at specific cities, we begin to see the alarming scale of concerns around housing access. In Kolkata, available data clearly present that about half of the total population of 14 million live in dilapidated houses. Why is this happening? There are many reasons, starting with the city’s expansion, which is not in tandem with appropriate measures to support the growing needs of the population. For instance, Howrah has constantly been neglected, with residents often left without access to clean water and sanitation. Keeping the broad context in mind, it is no surprise that the area has high mortality and morbidity rates. In a huge city that boasts of its new skyscrapers, pockets like Howrah still sprawl with bastis and temporary housing, and we can see similar patterns in cities across the world (V Ramaswamy, Asia Society). 

Over the last few decades, both the Central and State governments have actively focused on providing better access to safer housing, especially for families below the poverty line. However, for a problem as pervasive as equitable housing access, there are more development opportunities – through effective public-private partnerships, community-led solutions, and also by resolving infrastructural gaps. Building Access and Resource Initiative (BARI) aims to address this very large-scale lacuna. Our approach: first, understand the problem through the experiences of individuals and families struggling with housing problems, and then create targeted solutions that address their specific needs.