Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has identified 395 homeless people following a directive from Andhra Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur. The court asked the city to find and move these individuals into shelter homes. But there is a big problem. Vijayawada has just four shelters – three with 100 beds each and one with 50 beds. All are full now. "We don’t have additional shelters to accommodate more homeless people," said Project Officer P. Venkata Narayana of VMC’s Urban Community Development. Funds to build more shelters come from the Union government under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM). In March 2025, VMC proposed four new shelters with 100 beds each. The plan was approved in May. Now, the detailed project report (DPR) must be sent to the Centre for funding. Besides shelters, Vijayawada urgently needs a bigger rehabilitation centre. Mr. Narayana said many homeless people are alcoholics or drug addicts who cannot stay in regular shelters. "Though there is a rehab centre at the Government General Hospital, it can only hold 15-20 people. The city lacks a bigger rehabilitation or mental healthcare centre," he added. R. Adinarayana, State Mission Manager of MEPMA, said many homeless people sleep on footpaths after watching second shows of movies while under alcohol’s influence. They have identified these people and urged them to quit their habits. Most homeless, around 110 to 140, are found near BRTS Road and Sitara Centre. No public complaints have come so far. Even though the current survey ended, a three-member team including police, VMC/MEPMA officials, and an NGO member will continue it for 15 more days. "We believe the number of homeless will cross 450," said Adinarayana. The full count should be ready by January 5.