-to provide safety, medical and material support to street dwellers
In keeping with its mandate to provide itinerant street dwellers with a temporary environment for safety, medical and material support, the Ministries of Human Services and Social Security and Public Works have started construction of a new shelter facility at East La Penitence.

The new night shelter being constructed at East La Penitence

Minister of Human Services, Priya Manickchand, along with Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn, Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, and staff from the Social Services Ministry Wednesday evening conducted a sensitisation exercise in the Bourda and La Penitence Municipal Markets and Leopold Street where dwellers would usually seek refuge at night.

Minister Manickchand told the Government Information Agency (GINA) during the exercise that persons are being enlightened about alternative accommodation being provided by the Ministry which also offers all assistance necessary to re-integrate them with their families and society.

Minister Priya Manickchand (at right) speaks to street dwellers, with Minister Robeson Benn (center) and Minister Bheri Ramsaran

“We have offered several things should older persons need assistance. There is the Palms. Generally persons can be re-integrated with their families and we are offering all the assistance we can…including speaking to their families, plus offering whatever material help may be needed to have that re-integration happen,” Minister Manickchand said.

The new shelter being constructed is expected to accommodate approximately 140 persons.

“The night shelter was never filled to capacity; It’s just an effort that we have to make to ensure that persons are off the street…we understand that some persons may want to move and some may not…the message has to be clear that street dwelling is no longer going to be acceptable or tolerated, particularly because it is unhealthy to the very persons who live on the street,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Minister Benn, whose Ministry has collaborated with the Social Services Ministry to construct the facility, said that the shelter is expected to be completed within two weeks.

“It would be fully outfitted, separated into male and female quarters, with the requisite washrooms and housekeeping areas, Minister Benn said.

The shelter will be providing round the clock service to dwellers.

Government established a night shelter at East La Penitence in 2001 which has been of service to many over the years, providing food, clothing, shelter and counselling.

The building currently has an accommodation capacity of 150 with separate quarters for males and females. (GINA)