How we house our urban Homeless

Homelessness and housing for the socially displaced is one of the major urban problems that continue to plague the world.  The legal definition and perceptions of homelessness differs worldwide.  In Trinidad for instance the general view of the homeless are individuals who have no place to live and no permanent job.

The centre for the socially displaced –Riverside Car park

Similar to the definition of homelessness the sources of homelessness are varied and many.  Some people are of the view that individuals are responsible for their personal success and failures. If this were true we should find the same type of and proportion of homeless in cities worldwide. This is not the case.

Dr. L Trevor conducted a study in an attempt to understand the islands homeless population in Trinidad and Tobago.  In his study he found that many homeless persons did not choose to become homeless.  He found that 40%, had nowhere to reside, 25% lost their caregiver, due to death, 21% had drug and alcohol issues,  and the remaining 14% live in hospitals/ prison/ or unemployed. (Grant 2008). The fore mentioned study indicates that homelessness in Trinidad is not merely due to a housing shortage but a myriad of issues.

The above photo which shows the use of a car park to house the homeless is a clear indication that the homeless are not only victims of poverty but also victims’ of inadequate social development.  The remedy of housing the homeless in a car park is mostly cosmetic and pays very little attention to the people plight of the homeless. Similar to many countries, the islands must first confront our structural, social, political and cultural issues regarding the homeless and housing the homeless.  

The director of statistics of the Central Statistical Office (CSO) revealed at a press conference held by  the Ministry of Planning and the Economy revealed that Port-of-Spain’s homeless population has grown ” by 13.4 per cent between the 2000-2011”. He also revealed that the “major of growth is concentrated in Port-of-Spain”. The 2011 census showed that there was approximately, 307 street-dwellers in Port-of –Spain, and 93 per cent are males. (These statistics exclude persons who live in shelters) (Kowlessar 2012)

The burden of change cannot be placed on the government; homelessness must be tackled at the individual level. It is clear that there is a need for a change in our perception of the homeless and how we treat our homeless and the methods used to house them. 

Bibliography

"CatholicNews::Viewpoint."CatholicNews:Viewpoint.http://www.catholicnews.tt.net/archives/08/08/03/viewpoint.htm (accessed April 8, 2014).

Kowlessar, Geisha. "Guardian Media." Guardian Media Ltd. 06 19, 2012. https://guardian.co.tt (accessed 02 27, 2014).