Shelter Associates

Shelter Associates (SA) was founded in 1994 with a simple yet powerful vision—leveraging architectural skills to improve the lives of the urban poor. Over the past 30 years, SA has grown into a pioneering non-profit, driving systemic change in social housing and sanitation through innovative, data-driven, and community-centric approaches.

Rajendra Nagar in Kolhapur is home to over 1,700 families living in informal, densely populated housing without formal street names or house numbers. For residents like Bhagyashree Kalyankar, this posed a major challenge. As the owner of an electrical supply store, she regularly needed to receive deliveries. However, the lack of a proper address meant she had to constantly guide delivery personnel or walk to the nearest landmark to pick up her orders—costing her both time and business efficiency.

Shelter Associates introduced Google’s open-source Plus Code digital addressing system across Rajendra Nagar. The project was implemented in three key phases:

Community sensitisation. Shelter Associates engaged with local residents and leaders to raise awareness of the benefits of having a unique address. This built community support and facilitated smooth data collection and implementation.

Plus Code mapping. Field teams surveyed the area using smartphones to identify and assign Plus Codes to every household. These addresses were then displayed on physical boards fixed on the exterior of each home, making them easily visible and shareable.

Address activation. Shelter Associates guided residents on how to use their Plus Codes in daily life—for online deliveries, accessing services, and sharing their location. For entrepreneurs like Bhagyashree, this was a turning point in simplifying business operations and reducing logistical hassles.

Today, Bhagyashree no longer loses time coordinating deliveries. By sharing her Plus Code, suppliers can find her store without confusion. This small digital change has had a big impact on her efficiency and peace of mind.