Inefficiency of shelters provided for the homeless in our Cities.

                The streets of our capital city have become home to many ‘street dwellers’. They have become attached to these streets and in my belief are more comfortable within this environment than in the homes the government and non-governmental organizations have put in place for their housing. A house may not be considered a home for obvious reasons. A house refers to a roof over your head, whereas a home refers to a place where you feel comfortable, a place that is liveable. There are barriers to the home making process that these organizations do not consider (Rivlin and Moore, 2001). The ‘homeless’ people may find that the streets are more welcoming than housing units with stringent rules. Our organisations that are put in place for housing the street dwellers do not consider the factors affecting the ‘homelike’ environments needed to home the homeless, and are therefore inefficiently run.

              It is these inefficiencies that amplify the effects of the homeless on the city. More management and consultation with the people with knowledge of planning for the homeless should be undertaken to properly house these street dwellers. In my belief ‘street dwellers’ will be inclined to stay in these homes if they are managed efficiently; ensuring safely, community and other aspects of livability.
              A report by the guardian, the Ministry of the People and social development have tried to eradicate street dwelling in 2012 by putting street dwellers through rehabilitation and assessment centers (Clyne 2012).

Reference:

 Clyne, Kalifa. Vagrant removal programme ‘stutters’. Trinidad Guardian Newspaper. http://guardian.co.tt/news/2012-12-22/vagrant-removal-programme-%E2%80%98stutters%E2%80%99

Rivlin, G.L., and J. Moore. 2001. Home-Making: Supports and barriers to the Process of Home. Journal of social distress and the homeless, vol. 10, No.4.