Without Walls

An investigation into the lives of Mumbai’s homeless WITHOUT WALLS looks at widespread homelessness, one of the most serious issues facing urban India today. Homeless men, women and children can be found sleeping along sidewalks, under flyovers, near transport stations and next to railway tracks. They face serious challenges in accessing basic and essential needs, including food, water, health services, education and shelter.

In many Indian cities, the majority of homeless are single, male migrants who come for economic opportunities, keeping close ties with their rural home base. However, in Mumbai, India’s financial capital, the situation is very different.

A large portion of Mumbai’s homeless are families who have lived on the streets their entire lives – even for multiple generations – with little or no connection to their rural origins. The reasons for becoming and staying homeless are myriad. People face abysmal conditions with a scarcity of shelters, rentals, and affordable, permanent housing options. A vicious cycle of rising prices, illiteracy, and low-level employment exacerbates Mumbai’s unique situation of intergenerational homelessness.