Homeless transitional centre upgrade nearly done

Phase two of the Desmond McKenzie Transitional Centre for the Homeless in downtown Kingston is 98 per cent complete.

This was revealed by McKenzie, who is the minister of local government and community development, during a tour of the facility. McKenzie said that he was happy with the upkeep of the facility, which was opened in September 2022 as part of the government's overall programme to deal with a growing homeless population in the Corporate Area. He said that an "additional 60 spaces will be provided for males and females to put a further dent in the problems we have as it relates to the homeless population".

McKenzie added that as soon as the construction works are complete, the new wing of the transition centre will be furnished and opened to the public. With the new wing in commission, the facility will be able to house 100 people. But, even with the added capacity, McKenzie acknowledged the need for an additional transitional centre in the Corporate Area and indicated he has been having discussions with Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, regarding the matter.

"When I speak in the sectoral presentation in May, I will make further announcements as to the next step that the government will be making in this direction," he informed.

McKenzie also warned people against dumping garbage illegally in the area surrounding the transitional centre.

"The uglification of the facility by the illicit dumping is of concern. We will be making some adjustments to the area to mitigate ... the continuous dumping," he indicated.

McKenzie urged the owner of the empty lot located adjacent to the centre to take charge of the property.

"I want to make an urgent and public appeal to the owner of the facility to come and take charge of the property and to do what is necessary," he pleaded.

"Get in touch with me or the mayor. Let us have a discussion as to how we can help to eliminate what is taking place over there. Because I would love if the owner would say to me, you can have a piece of it so we can extend this [transitional facility] to take at least another 100 people who desperately need that bit of comfort in their lives," he added.