The Tata Steel Foundation (TSF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Housing and Urban Development department of the state government to transform informal settlements and reduce urban inequality. The pact aims to unlock public entitlements and establish scalable models of inclusive habitat development, directly benefiting around 2.28 lakh slum households.
The initiative will be effective for a period of four years and will involve the deployment of dedicated teams across 10 districts and 19 urban local bodies (ULBs). The teams will work towards strengthening city-level systems, empowering community institutions, and translating policy intent into measurable and replicable outcomes.
The collaboration between TSF and the state government sets a precedent for transformative habitat development, demonstrating how strategic partnerships can drive scalable impact in informal urban settlements. According to Sourav Roy, Chief Executive Officer of TSF, the organization has been closely working with the state government to transform urban habitats across the state.
The MoU marks the commencement of the next phase of this collaboration, which will focus on the inclusive development of urban slum-dwellers. The state government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has shown its commitment to addressing urban inequality and transforming informal settlements into inclusive and resilient urban habitats.
The initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of slum dwellers, enabling them to access social welfare schemes and improving their overall quality of life. By working together, TSF and the state government aim to create a model for inclusive habitat development that can be replicated in other parts of the country.
Overall, the MoU between TSF and the Housing and Urban Development department is a significant step towards addressing urban inequality and transforming informal settlements in the state. The collaboration has the potential to drive scalable impact and improve the lives of thousands of slum dwellers, making it a noteworthy initiative in the field of urban development.