In a first, housing scheme proposed for transgender community in Maharashtra

150 flats to be offered to transgender persons in Nagpur

The Social Welfare Department of the Maharashtra Government has proposed an affordable housing scheme for the transgender community, a senior official said.

Transgender persons often find it difficult to buy or rent a house in a good locality because of the stigma attached to their gender identity, hence the scheme would be helpful, he said. Under the proposed scheme, around 150 flats of 450 sq feet each will be offered in a dedicated housing complex in Nagpur city for the transgender community.

Also read | Kerala forms panel to study issued faced by transgender persons

"The Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) has ready flats available. It has agreed to sell them to us. Using the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) funds and taking rest of the funding from the State government, we will make these flats available to the transgender community. They will own these flats," said Dr. Prashant Narnaware, Commissioner, Social Welfare.

If approved, this will be the first dedicated housing scheme for the community in the State, he added.

"We hear of shelter houses or hostel facilities for this marginalised community, but our scheme envisages that they will own the flats, own the complex and can lead a dignified life," Dr. Narnaware said.

A proposal was received from the NIT, and the Social Welfare department said it will purchase the ready building, he said.