Incremental upgrading is understood to be the investments made by households in improving their homes over a period of time. This study was undertaken to document, understand and articulate barriers currently facing the process of incremental upgrading in informal settlements and to make recommendations based on these findings. The study was undertaken by SPARC (Society for the Promotion of Area Resource Centres), an Indian NGO that works in partnership with two community based organizations— the National Slum Dwellers Federation and Mahila Milan.