15 Social Housing Units For St. James’ Homeless
By: , June 20, 2022
Photo: Okoye Henry
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (second right), makes a comment to Social Worker in the Public Assistance Department (PAD), Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Ladane Gardner (left), at a recent ‘homeless wellness day of care’ event at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay, St. James. Others sharing in the discussion (from second left) are National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Inspector, Dorothy Henry; Vernette Williams from the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC); and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) for St. James, Angela McIntosh-Gayle.
Photo: Okoye Henry
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, addresses a recent ‘homeless wellness day of care’ event held at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay, St. James.The Full Story
Some 15 social housing units have been earmarked for construction in St. James during the 2022/2023 financial year, to benefit homeless persons.
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, in making the disclosure said that the Ministry will be working closely with the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation in the undertaking.
“So… for persons living on the streets, for persons who find themselves in challenging situations, we’re going to be tackling the question of social housing in St. James,” he said, noting that the Government is committed to meeting the shelter needs of Jamaicans.
The Minister was addressing a recent ‘homeless day of care’ event at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay.
The event, which included participation from various State agencies, was organised to treat the homeless population to a hot meal, health and wellness services, and introduce them to entities where they can receive assistance.
Among the participating entities were the parish’s Poor Relief Department, St. James Public Health Services, St. James Municipal Corporation, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Legal Aid Council, Social Development Commission, National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) and the Jamaica Fire Brigade.
In the meantime, Mr. McKenzie said that the Ministry is ensuring that residents at the island’s infirmaries are provided with quality care.
He noted, for example, that professionals such as dieticians and physiotherapists have been engaged and are having a positive impact on the health of residents.
“We brought in dieticians, so it means that the residents in these infirmaries will have the benefit of proper meals. The dieticians determine the meals that they eat and you find that the residents feel more comfortable because they are eating healthier food,” Mr. McKenzie pointed out.
“We have brought in physiotherapists because after you are there and you lie down on the bed or you sit down, you need somebody to work you out. Every infirmary across Jamaica has benefited from this programme,” he said.
