The Department of Social Justice, Government of Kerala, has a housing scheme for transgender persons under its comprehensive Mazhavillu programme, aimed at addressing the lack of safe housing faced by the community.Transgender individuals often face social stigma and are disowned by family members, leaving many without a secure place to live. The scheme offers financial assistance for land purchase and house construction, structured across three beneficiary categories.Category I: Gap funding for existing beneficiariesTransgender persons already covered under housing schemes run by Local Self-Government Institutions (LSGIs), Kudumbasree, LIFE Mission or PMAY (Urban) can receive a gap fund of up to Rs 2 lakh.Eligibility: Applicant must be at least 21 years old, hold a Transgender ID card/certificate, be a native Kerala resident of at least 10 years, have an annual income not exceeding Rs 5 lakh, and be an existing beneficiary under an LSGI or Kudumbasree housing scheme.Documents required: TG ID card/certificate, Aadhaar card, proof of residence, income certificate, bank details, proof of beneficiary status, fund disbursement and construction progress details, land ownership certificate, and a prescribed agreement. Applications go to the Director of Social Justice.Category II: Assistance for landowners outside existing schemesTransgender persons who own land but aren’t beneficiaries under LIFE Mission or Kudumbasree can receive up to Rs 6 lakh.Eligibility: The applicant must be at least 21, hold a TG ID card/certificate, be a native Kerala resident of 10+ years, earn under Rs 5 lakh annually, not be an LSGI/Kudumbasree beneficiary, own land (including sponsored land), and not already possess a house or inherited property.Documents required: TG ID card/certificate, Aadhaar card, proof of residence, income certificate, bank details, proof of non-beneficiary status, land ownership documents, an approved building plan and estimate, proof of additional funding if costs exceed Rs 6 lakh, and a prescribed agreement.Category III: Full assistance for those without land or houseTransgender persons who possess neither land nor a house qualify for the highest support tier, up to Rs 15 lakh, usable for both purchasing land and building a house.Centre’s parallel initiative: Garima Greh shelter homesKerala’s scheme runs alongside a central government effort. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment operates the Garima Greh scheme under its SMILE programme, offering shelter, food, medical care and skill-development support to destitute transgender persons, with plans for at least one such home in every state.Twelve pilot shelter homes are currently functional, including in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, with the Ministry providing direct financial support to the community-based organisations running them.Read More: Garima Greh Shelter Home: A safe haven for abandoned transgenders
