Gov’t Pursuing Plans to Relocate Homeless Street Persons

The Government will be implementing measures to reduce the number of homeless persons living on the nation’s streets.

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says the plans include the provision of $24 million in the 2016/17 Budget, to upgrade the Poor Relief Department’s drop-in centre on Hanover Street in downtown Kingston.

He made the disclosure while addressing the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation’s (KSAC) monthly meeting, at the Council’s chambers on Church Street, on Tuesday, April 12.

Mr. McKenzie said the Ministry and Board of Supervision were also discussing plans to be undertaken in other parts of the country.

The entity, for which Mr. McKenzie said a Board has been appointed, is the statutory body that supervises and monitors the delivery of poor relief services by the KSAC and Parish Councils.

While noting that the overall provision of alternative arrangements for persons living on the streets “is going to take a longer discussion”, Mr. McKenzie said it was one of the Ministry’s top priorities.

Mr. McKenzie’s visit to the KSAC was aimed at updating Councillors on the Ministry’s programmes and initiatives.