As I recalled in one of my previous letters, the Government decided to implement a plan to build a facility to house the homeless population. This information came from the Minister of Social Development. Further, it was also stated that the plan was approved by a working committee and was supposed to be implemented in 2018. But as I continue to monitor, and advocate for accommodation for this population, to date I have not heard or seen any movement on this all-important project.
To the contrary, the Joint Select Committee of Parliament chairman recommended that the Social Development Ministry find lodging for the 400 homeless population that roams the street day and night. The Joint Select Committee chairman explained to the officers from the Social Development Ministry who were present at the hearings, that the socially displaced are fellow citizens who have special needs, one of which is adequate accommodation, and efforts must be made to ensure that they are properly accommodated. Kudos to the chairman for addressing this issue.
However, officers from the Social Development Ministry continue to inform the committee about the last count of the homeless which was done in November of 2017. As noted in one of my letters, it is very difficult to give a count of the homeless population, as they move from one location to another. You can an approximate, which can be accepted. In order to get a reasonable head count on this population, you have to house them in a facility and do your count.
You are always going to get an explanation from the various Government ministries involved in this projects that the Socially Displaced Persons Act of 2000 has not yet been proclaimed and it is being worked on. It may appear that the Social Development Ministry, Health Ministry, Local Government Ministry, National Security Ministry and to some, all regional corporations, are playing hide and seek with the homeless population and continue to evade the responsibilities of dealing with this population.
It is unhealthy, risky and unfair for young women with newborn babies, school children and pedestrians to inhale the smell of urine and faeces on the sidewalk, the abuse and the obscene gestures and language from the homeless population, where one must take the risk and walk in the streets, dodging oncoming motorists, and yet the Socially Displaced Persons Act of 2000 remains on someone’s desk like no one’s business.
What are they waiting for to proclaim this act?
On the other hand, the official from the Social Development Ministry indicated that the old Besson Street Police Station is an ideal location to house the homeless population and they are planning to approach Cabinet for approval for that location. Placing the homeless population at the old Besson Street Police Station is like placing them in Tamarind Square. The ideal placing for the homeless population at this time is the St. Michael’s School for Boys. That facility is currently vacant, is set up already and can accommodate 80 more people, that will be a good start. Approach the Cabinet for that facility, not the old Besson Street Police Station (Bad Vibes).
SELWYN BYER
St. James
