Working Women Hostel

Working Women Hostel is a government scheme run by the Women and Child Development Department of Haryana to give safe, secure and reasonably priced housing to employed women. It helps working women who stay away from their families by offering subsidized hostel rooms, so they can focus on their careers without worrying about finding a safe place to live in a new city.

The scheme has been running since 1972-73 and has been revised over time to make more hostel seats available for working women across cities, smaller towns and rural areas. In Haryana, working women can apply for a room in a government working women hostel through the Antyodaya-SARAL portal. The department also runs day care centres in these hostels so that working mothers can keep their young children close while they work.

Working Women Hostel - Introduction

Working Women Hostel is a central scheme that is implemented in Haryana by the Women and Child Development Department. The main aim is to provide safe and conveniently located accommodation for women who need to live away from their families because of their jobs. The hostel buildings offer both single and double bed rooms as well as dormitories, and wherever possible a day care centre for preschool children is also provided.

The scheme covers working women without any distinction of caste, religion or marital status. Women who are under training for a job can also be accommodated, provided they do not take up more than 30% of the total hostel capacity and only when enough working women are not using the seats. Children of working mothers can stay with them, with girls up to the age of 18 years and boys up to the age of 5 years allowed to live in the hostel.

Key Information

Benefits

The scheme makes urban living affordable for working women by capping the rent according to their earnings. The rent charged by the hostel is based on the gross salary of the working woman, so the cost stays fair and manageable for every income group.

In addition to the hostel rooms, working mothers can use the day care centre for their children. Fees for the day care centre should not be more than 5% of the mother's salary, or the actual cost, whichever is less. The rent does not include mess charges or the use of facilities like washing machines, for which separate user charges are collected.

Eligibility

Working women can get a seat in the hostel provided their gross income does not cross the set limit. The income ceiling is rupees 50,000 per month in metropolitan cities and rupees 35,000 per month in any other place. If a woman already living in the hostel crosses this income limit, she is required to vacate the hostel within six months of crossing the ceiling.

To be eligible, a woman should be currently employed and need accommodation away from her native place. The scheme gives preference to women from poor and left out sections of society, and seats are also reserved for physically challenged women. A working woman is allowed to stay in the hostel for up to three years, and this period can be extended up to a maximum of five years in exceptional cases with the approval of the district administration.

Application Process

STEP 1 - Go to the official Antyodaya-SARAL portal at saralharyana.gov.in and register as a new user by providing your name, email ID and mobile number. Once you register, verify your identity using the OTP sent to your phone or email.

STEP 2 - After logging in, open the 'Scheme/Services list' section on the portal. Search for Working Women Hostel and click on 'Apply for Service/Scheme'.

STEP 3 - Fill in all the required details accurately and submit your application form. You can track the status of your application online on the portal, or you can visit your nearest Atal Seva Kendra for help with the application.

For any help with the online process, the Antyodaya-SARAL helpline is available at 0172-3968400 from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on working days. A nominal service fee of rupees 10 is charged when you apply through an Atal Seva Kendra.

Documents

Keep the following documents ready before you start your application so that the process goes smoothly:

• Parivar Pehchan Patra Number, which is used to verify your family details in Haryana.
• Appointment letter and acceptance letter for a local guardian, along with the visitor list.
• Medical certificate and character certificate to confirm your health and background.
• Personal undertaking and a financial guarantee document as required by the department.

References

You can find the official scheme guidelines and procedural details here: Official Guidelines. The department page of the Women and Child Development Department, Haryana also lists the working women hostels across the state along with their contact numbers.

FAQ's

What is the objective of Working Women Hostel?

The objective is to provide safe, secure and affordable housing to working women, especially those who move to a new city for professional reasons. Day care facilities are also offered for their children wherever possible.

Which department oversees this scheme in Haryana?

The Women and Child Development Department, Government of Haryana, manages and supervises this scheme in the state.

Who is eligible for these hostels?

Any woman who is employed and needs accommodation away from her native residence can apply, provided her gross income is within the set limit of rupees 50,000 per month in metropolitan cities and rupees 35,000 per month elsewhere.

How is the rent calculated?

Rent is subsidized and calculated as a percentage of gross salary, ranging from 7.5% for dormitories to 10% for double bed rooms and 15% for single bed rooms.

Where can I apply?

You can submit your application online through the official Antyodaya-SARAL Portal or visit your nearest Atal Seva Kendra for assistance.

Is there a fee for applying?

When applying through an Atal Seva Kendra, a nominal service fee of rupees 10 is charged. Applying online through the SARAL portal does not involve this service charge.