demo About the Organization - Mahila Housing Trust

The Mahila Housing SEWA Trust (MHT), was set up in 1994 by the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), a union of poor, self employed women workers. It grew from their work with the women engaged in the informal economy, in response to their growing demand for better infrastructure facilities and secure home, which is also their productive asset and workplace.

In over 25 years, MHT has forged unique relationships with poor communities across the country to improve access to basic infrastructure services and housing. MHT has also worked towards ensuring land rights for the poor and increasing their participation in local governance.

Today, MHT is working in 34 cities across 8 states in India and collaborating with partners in Bangladesh and Nepal. It is a leading advocacy organization with expertise in policy development, grassroots organizing, community development and technical know-how in land tenure, construction, management and oversight of infrastructure projects.

Through our grassroots programs in habitat development, climate change resilience, and participatory governance, we empower women from low-income communities to exercise their rights and collectively bargain for improved living and working environments. MHT facilitates this by organizing women into collectives, and supporting them with financial, legal, and technical services to lead change.