Community-led project delivers private apartments to families in Maharashtra slum

In the western Indian state of Maharashtra, the Sanjaynagar slum has been transformed by a community-led redevelopment effort that replaced metal shacks with a three-storey, 33-unit building named Swapnapurti, offering private apartments to 31 families. Launched in 2017, the project is financed by a blend of resident contributions—10 % of construction costs via peer-to-peer loans from Rang De—government funding through the PMAY housing scheme, and donations from groups like the Currystone Foundation.

Architects from the Community Design Agency employed insulated bricks, bamboo screens and a central courtyard to create cooler, well-ventilated homes, a design that earned a Silver award at this year’s World Habitat Awards. Local NGO Snehalaya, which had long served the community, built trust by providing services and guiding families through temporary relocation while their old homes were demolished. Early occupants now enjoy privacy, improved sanitation and communal spaces for children’s play and events, reporting better health and educational outcomes. The initiative continues despite upcoming housing-law reforms that may temporarily pause donor funding, offering hope to families still awaiting move-in.