KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has begun relocating homeless people from the Marie Atkins Night Shelter in phases ahead of planned renovation work, while calling for greater coordination among agencies and organisations providing assistance to the homeless.
Deputy Mayor of Kingston and St Andrew Lorraine Dobson said some of those affected are being relocated to the Denham Town Golden Age Home and the Desmond McKenzie Drop-In Centre.
She was speaking at the KSAMC’s World Homeless Day event at St William Grant Park on Friday.
Meanwhile, Acting Inspector of Poor at the KSAMC, Donna Gay Braidy, has stressed that tackling homelessness requires a coordinated effort involving communities, government agencies and other stakeholders.
“If we coordinate with each other, we can solve the problem of homelessness,” Braidy said, urging stakeholders to move beyond temporary assistance towards rehabilitation and reintegration.
She said the aim is to empower homeless people to recognise their potential, restore their dignity and help them make a fresh start.
Braidy also raised concerns about compliance with the KSAMC’s coordinated feeding programme, revealing that participation stands at approximately 50 per cent.
She urged organisations providing meals outside the programme to join the initiative, explaining that the municipality wants to build partnerships rather than compete with existing outreach efforts.
“We don’t want them to think the KSAMC wants to take their spotlight from them feeding. I think they should come in and let us be partners and utilise the space for public order,” she said.