CHENNAI: Three years after the first batch of houses were provided to transsexuals in the city, Tamil Nadu has allotted 254 more for them at the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB) tenements in Ezhil Nagar , Thoraipakkam.“This home is a blessing to us. We were struggling without one,” said Sivagami, who, after moving to the city a decade ago struggled for a long time by living on the streets, since nobody was willing to rent her a house. “We are all slowly moving in and arranging our furniture, once everything is in place I can work without tension,” she said. Sivagami is an entrepreneur who deals in clothing.The two-room houses were allotted by TNSCB, three weeks ago. The houses were constructed under the Emergency Tsunami Reconstruction Project .In 2016, after years of pleas and protests, the state through TNSCB had allotted 236 houses to transsexuals at the All India Radio land in Thiruvottiyur. Though members from the community moved in, their happiness was short-lived after being ostracised by the local community. There was also an incident where a transsexual was chased and attacked at night by two men.“We only hope we don’t face such situations,” said Mallika, a resident at the Ezhil Nagar tenements. She further complained that they have been facing ‘issues’ with the local community since they moved in.“Many don't talk to us and avoid crossing our houses. It is disappointing, considering the progressive age we live in,” she said.Apart from the transsexuals, they also have families who were moved from various parts of the city to make way for new development projects.Officials from TNSCB said they are in touch with them to ensure they live in peace and harmony with the rest of the families.“We are also in touch with our community development officers and local authorities, who are addressing their grievances, regularly,” said a senior official from the board.

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