ENHANCING LIVES

OF THE URBAN POOR

Focus Areas

Sanitation

Our robust model identifies critical gaps in slum sanitation and facilitates individual toilets to slum dwellers, while creating behavioral change in communities around Wash, waste segregation and menstrual hygiene…Know More

Housing

Not just affordable housing, we ensure land rights and security of tenure while involving communities in designing fully-functional, liveable homes completing the transformation from slums to societies…Know More

Data

We have pioneered the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology for poverty mapping in the late 90’s and use spatial data to improve the delivery of essential services in urban slums.. Know More

OUR Story

A passion to transform the lives of the urban poor drove architect Pratima Joshi and her two friends to lay the foundation of Shelter Associates (SA) 3 decades back. Using the objective strength of data and sensitivity lent by deep community engagement, SA creates a level playing field where multiple stakeholders can easily collaborate to achieve a shared vision of equitable access to essential services. This changes the power dynamic and the communities becomes equal partners in this continuously evolving story of urban development.

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Building communities through Mobilization

The urban slum communities are our partners in this journey of ensuring equitable distribution of rights and essential services to all. We engage with them through a host of educational and empowering developmental activities. Different types of formal and informal activities are conducted that are impacting individuals of all age groups and genders. Also, innovative IEC Materials are developed to further involve the communities in a fun and engaging way..

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Impact

Slum Houses Surveyed

Home Toilets Facilitated

Individuals Rehabilitated Through Housing

Digital Locational Addresses

Individuals Impacted

latest happenings

Shelter Associates Wins Infosys Foundation's Aarohan Social Innovation Award 2023

SA was presented the Aarohan Social Innovation Awards 2023 by Mrs. Sudha Murthy under the Women Empowerment category for our unique data-driven sanitation model called the ‘One Home One Toilet’. We thank our supporters, partners, well-wishers and the communities for their unflinching trust and support.

Click to watch the video made by Infosys Foundation on SA.

Big WINS for SA!

We are very excited to announce that Shelter Associates has won the SWACHHOTSAV WINS Awards for our sanitation programmes in both Navi Mumbai and Pune Municipal Corporation! The first edition of Women Icons Leading Swacchata(WINS) was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to recognise and celebrate the impact of women-led organisations in sanitation and waste management. From leadership to community engagement, our sanitation programmes have been led by strong and passionate women.

SA Founder-Director, Pratima Joshi awarded INDUSEM’s ‘Samajik Abhiyantrik Sanmaan’

INDUSEM award was presented to Ar. Pratima Joshi by Professor Dr. Jonathan Jones, President of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine was the Chief Guest for the event. The award was presented on the occasion of the 19th Annual All India Academic Conclave of Emergency Medicine in August 2023.

testimonials

“Due to my old age, my granddaughter would assist me to the community toilet. I worried for her safety. I am extremely grateful to Shelter Associates who came as a blessing and solved my biggest problem by giving us a toilet at our home.”

- Lata Misal,

Beneficiary from Pune

“The One Home One Toilet model is robust and can be scaled easily to other urban areas within the country. With SA’s and Pune Municipal Corporation’s partnership, we are confident of achieving the targets under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.”

- Kunal Kumar,

Municipal Commissioner of Pune

“UNICEF appreciates SA’s end-to-end data-driven approach and innovative use of spatial data along with Plus Codes technology that helped us identify and administer Covid vaccines to the most vulnerable individuals living in crowded slums.”

- Devika Deshmukh,

Program Specialist Urban, UNICEF

Videos

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SA as a Sanitation Champion- A film by Josh Talks & ONI

Plus Code - A Digital Address for Slums

Our Partners

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Shelter Associates

SA was founded by architects in 1994 with a passion to ensure equitable access to essential services for the urban poor. SA follows a data-driven, multistakeholder approach to designing and implementing community-centric solutions around sanitation and social housing issues. Know More

Annual Report

SA Brochure

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info@shelter-associates.org

'Kanha', Plot. no. 340, lane no. 18, Mahatma Society, Kothrud, Pune - 411038