Board of Supervision encourages Jamaicans to report cases of homelessness

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, through the Board of Supervision, is encouraging Jamaicans to report cases of homelessness.

“If persons are aware of individuals who are on the streets or in areas where we may have missed or living in a tucked away little hut somewhere in the community, then we ask that they provide us with that information,” said Secretary, Board of Supervision, Treka Lewis, during an interview with JIS News.

She informed that persons may call the Local Poor Relief Office in each municipal corporation, the Ministry or the Board of Supervision, to make reports.

The appeal comes as the Ministry, through the Board of Supervision, prepares to undertake the third National Homeless Survey across the island, from October 6-10.

Lewis informed that currently, there are several programmes at the Ministry that are designed to assist individuals experiencing homelessness.

However, the data collected through the survey will allow for more strategic programmes to be created as well as to inform future policies.

“One of our key programmes is our drop-in centres and the drop-in centre is the first point of contact for persons who are experiencing homelessness,” Lewis said, adding that persons who utilise the facility, benefit from having their basic needs met with the provision of meals and hygiene care.

She informed also that for those who need overnight shelter, they can access the night shelters, which offer a safe place to sleep.

“We also have transitional facilities and that is like a step above the night shelter and the drop-in centre, because that’s where vigorous social work comes in, where we work with the clients to help them to get back on their feet, to get them out of the facility, and to get them living on their own, managing on their own and just being a part of society once more,” Lewis said.

Another key area of support is through the Ministry’s feeding programme which extends beyond parish capitals.

“We provide food for persons on the street, so that they, at least, have two meals per day,” Lewis informed.

“I will also extend to say that while our infirmaries are not homeless institutions in the fullest sense of the word, we provide care for persons who are in need of that type of service,” she continued.

The Board of Supervision was established under the Poor Relief Act to supervise and monitor the delivery of the Poor Relief service performed by each municipal corporation.

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