Homelessness in The City to be addressed

A plan, spearheaded by the Barbados Tourism Investment Inc (BTI,) is in the works to assist the growing number of homeless people in The City as part of a wider initiative to step up the maintenance of Golden Square, Independence Square, Jubilee Gardens and other areas.

And according to Joy-Ann Haigh of Haigh Communications Inc, the public relations company that represents the BTI, the vulnerable group will not be dismissed or mistreated.

Haigh told Barbados TODAY the talks, which got underway on Wednesday, involved City MP Corey Lane, officials from the Psychiatric Hospital, the Barbados Police Service, and the Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness.

“A number of concerns were raised by BTII with the officials including what appears to be an increasing number of individuals who have taken up residence in public spaces in The City. Some short-term fixes were identified during the meeting and the MP for the area assured the team of his commitment to address the concerns of the homeless mainly through policy changes.”

She revealed that Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness (BAEH) President Kemar Saffrey identified issues that require immediate attention including closer synergies between government agencies to address the problem.

In addition, representatives from the Psychiatric Hospital shared potential measures to treat to homeless persons with mental health challenges while the police examined what the law currently allows as it relates to loitering in public spaces.

Haigh said the officials agreed to start the process by identifying the circumstances which lead the homeless persons to seek refuge in Bridgetown.

“The team agreed that starting with Independence Square, the investigations would be conducted with homeless persons in the area and the findings will be used to trigger a response from the right agency and those responsible for assisting, will work at resolving the problems identified, one by one until we have a clear policy plan.

“I am glad that the conversation has restarted about the growing problem of homelessness especially in The City. And why I say restarted is because this issue has been ongoing for a long time and the pandemic made it worse.  So, the conversation and an action plan are currently on the way.”

The development comes as Barbados TODAY reported on the plight of an intellectually challenged couple, Amaris Gittens, 19, and her boyfriend Enrique Marshall, 22, who have been living in Heroes’ Square for the last two years.

The two admitted that their refusal to stop seeing each other as directed by their respective families led them to the streets.

They explained that their decision to not separate stems from Gittens’ alleged sexual abuse at the hands of a close family friend.

“My heart broke when I read it,” Haigh said, adding, “especially knowing that this young homeless couple who appear to be Intellectually challenged reminded me of my 22-year-old daughter who is also intellectually challenged, I thought, if this were my daughter and I was no longer around, would I not want others to help her?”

Haigh appealed to the relevant agencies to come to the aid of the couple as soon as possible.

“ I cannot think of anyone after reading the story of this young intellectually challenged homeless couple desperately needing help and not responding. I can’t see people not acting immediately on this, it would be inhumane if we don’t help and I know for the most part, Barbados is a caring society and the agencies will help .She made clear she was ready to step up and lend a helping hand.

At a news conference earlier today, BAEH president Kemar Saffrey said the couple would be off the street tonight and efforts would continue to assist Gittens and Marshall. (SD)