Working Women Hostel — Subsidized Safe Accommodation

What is the Working Women Hostel Scheme?

The Working Women Hostel (WWH) Scheme is a Government of India programme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) providing safe, affordable hostel accommodation to women who are working or studying away from home — especially in cities and industrial areas.

Updated name: The scheme has been merged under 'Mission Shakti' (specifically the Sambal component). Grants are given to NGOs, cooperatives, and state governments to set up and run hostels.

Who Can Stay in Working Women Hostels?

• Working women — employed in factories, government offices, private companies
• Women students pursuing graduation/PG/professional courses
• Trainees in vocational courses
• Women with annual income up to ₹50,000/year (lower income priority)
• Children up to 5 years of age can stay with their working mother (daycare may be available)

Benefits for Residents

• Affordable rent — subsidized by government
• Safe environment — with security, CCTV, and management
• Facilities: Canteen/dining hall, common room, reading room
• Daycare for children (in some hostels)
• Priority for women from smaller towns who are new to the city

Hostel Sizes and Capacity

Hostels are built in different capacities:

• Small hostels: 6–10 residents (in smaller towns)
• Standard hostels: 50–100 residents (city-level)
• Large hostels: 100–500 residents (industrial areas)

How to Find a Government Working Women Hostel

1. Contact your State Women and Child Development Department — they maintain a list of approved hostels in each city
2. Visit wcd.nic.in → Working Women Hostel → State-wise list
3. Contact local NGOs running government-partnered hostels
4. Ask your employer's HR department — many companies partner with nearby hostels

How to Apply for Admission

Application processes vary by hostel operator (NGO or government). Typically:

1. Visit the hostel and collect the application form
2. Fill in: personal details, employment/study details, income proof
3. Submit with documents
4. Admission based on availability and priority (income, distance from home)

Grant for NGOs/State Governments to Set Up Hostels

Under the scheme, the central government provides grants to NGOs and state governments to construct and run Working Women Hostels:

• Government-owned land: Grant for construction + equipment
• NGO land: Grant covers construction cost (per bed)
• Recurring support for operations

If you are an NGO wanting to set up a hostel: Apply to your State WCD Department — they forward proposals to the central Ministry for approval and grant disbursement.

Swadhar Greh (for Women in Difficult Circumstances)

Swadhar Greh is a related scheme for women in difficult circumstances (trafficking survivors, released prisoners, abandoned women, domestic violence survivors). Unlike working women hostels, Swadhar provides rehabilitation support alongside accommodation.

For Swadhar Greh: Contact swadhar.nic.in or your State WCD office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a government working women hostel in every city?

Major cities (metro and tier-2 cities) generally have government-partnered hostels. Smaller cities may have limited availability. Contact your district WCD office for information.

What is the monthly rent at a government working women hostel?

Rents vary significantly — from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000/month depending on city, facilities, and room type. Government-subsidized hostels are substantially cheaper than private PGs.

Can male students or men stay in working women hostels?

No — these hostels are exclusively for women.

I am a married working woman. Can I apply?

Yes — married working women are eligible. However, husbands cannot stay in the hostel. If children (below 5 years) are with the mother, they may be accommodated in some hostels.

Official Links

• WCD Ministry: wcd.nic.in
• Mission Shakti (updated scheme): missionshakti.wcd.gov.in
• Swadhar Greh: swadhar.nic.in
• State WCD departments: Contact your district/state WCD office for local hostel lists