Portland Drop-in Centre and Night Shelter now open

The Portland Drop-in Centre and Night Shelter, which was constructed to accommodate street people and the less fortunate, was declared officially open on Friday by Minster of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie.

The drop-in centre, for which construction started in 2024 was completed within budget and fitted with basic amenities including water and electricity, as well as furniture and appliances, McKenzie said.

McKenzie, who spoke passionately about meeting the needs of the less fortunate, some of whom he declared have been abandoned by family members, stated that the government is on a quest to ensure that street people, including those that are of unsound mind and are mentally challenged, are treated with regard and fairness irrespective of their challenges.

"I am pleased at the success that we have achieved over the last two and a half years," he stated.

"We have spent more than $400 million building up these facilities across the country. And every one of these facilities comes fully furnished. Proper staff and we have provided the requisite resources to ensure that food and medicine is available. What we are seeing is an approach by government, churches, [and] private sector to lift the standards and to improve the life of these persons who depend on the state for assistance.

"This facility was built within budget, a little bit overtime, but the important thing [is] that we never have to find a dollar extra out of what was allocated for the original construction. But in our next stint as government, with that sure third term, there is going to be an expansive social programme involving the NHT (National Housing Trust) that will see us building in every parish in Jamaica a major facility to house the homeless population. We are speaking about a facility that can hold a hundred persons and provide and care for them," he added.

Earlier East Portland Member of Parliament, Ann-Marie Vaz, pointed out that the drop-in centre, which was constructed at a cost of approximately $56 million, including the cost for material and furniture, will be able to cater to the needs of the less fortunate and those with mental issues.

And Mayor of Port Antonio, Paul Thompson, who spoke about the need for everyone to extend kindness and love towards the less fortunate, stated that there is now a definite need for the establishment of a private/public partnership in charting the way forward to ensure the success of the facility and its intended purpose.

"The government has done its part and now it is up to the business community, citizens, and others to see how best they can provide help to this facility so as to enable success in the medium and long term," he said.

- Gareth Davis

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