Dr. Maureen Irons-Morgan

Gareth Manning, Sunday Gleaner Reporter

Since the 1999 street people scandal, Government has been increasing its role in supporting the homeless. In its latest efforts, a new strategic plan has been drafted to establish and improve shelters and care facilities in all parishes. Several millions of dollars have already been allocated from the Budget to the shelters this year, bureaucrats tell The Sunday Gleaner.

The plan, which already got off the ground with a pilot project near the Bellevue Hospital on Windward Road in east Kingston, is to be replicated in other parts of the Corporate Area and all other major towns based on the needs for shelters in various parishes.

"It's a new thing and we have to approach it in a very systematic way ... The Government ha its allocation to the homeless programme," coordinator of the homeless on the board of supervision, Barrington Parsons, explains.

The board, which is an arm of the Ministry of Local Government, charged with responsibility for the poor is overseeing the plan through the eyes of a committee for the homeless.

Chairperson of the committee, Dr. Maureen Irons-Morgan says one of the basic aims of the plan will be to have more coordinated efforts to feed and provide care for the poor.

Many persons and institutions, such as church groups, have come forward to assist. She says street-feeding, for example, is to be discouraged in an effort to dignify the homeless and to provide consistent help for them.

"What you find is that at one time they might be getting an abundance of help and at another time there is a scarcity," she comments.

Existing non-governmental facilities in various parishes are also to receive help from the Government in regulating and training people to care for the homeless, adds Parsons.

"We want to develop policies to regulate the NGOs to keep in line with the strategic plan to end chronic homelessness," he says.

More housing

In addition, Government will also be moving to provide more housing for the homeless as part of the plan. Some lands have already been identified for the project, the officials say, but the plan is still preliminary.

"I think one of the areas of great need now is affordable housing with support," Irons-Morgan opines. According to her, half of those who are homeless are people with disabilities, who are unable to care for themselves without support, and providing housing with the necessary services would go a far way in helping them.

The other half are merely people who have fallen on hard times due to unfortunate events and what many need is a jumpstart.

"The immediate step will be the halfway-house situation. The people will come into residence with a plan to leave in six months," she explains.

Permanent residence will be needed for some, she says, but the plans have not yet been worked out.

"The Government is supportive of providing houses for persons. The lands are available, but we are trying to develop the plans to access the funds," says Irons-Morgan.

gareth.manning@gleanerjm.com