New national policy aims to eradicate homelessness

Government is preparing to launch a National Homelessness Policy, aimed at eradicating homelessness through coordinated, compassionate, and long-term solutions, officials said on Friday.

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Mark Franklin, made the announcement at a renovation ceremony for the Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness (BAEH) shelter, which will be upgraded with funding from the Japanese government.

During the event, Franklin stressed the urgent need for a structured national response, highlighting the vulnerability of those experiencing homelessness due to factors including  domestic violence, mental health issues, job loss, eviction, and natural disasters. “Homelessness is not a distant issue—it can impact any of us,” he stated. “Families, especially those with children, are often forced to live in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. They endure verbal and emotional abuse, theft, and even physical harm, particularly at night.”

Franklin recognised the critical role of NGOs like the BAEH in addressing homelessness, commending their dedication to providing shelter and support. He also emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships, noting that government funding must be accompanied by strategic action.

The National Homelessness Policy will be built on four key pillars: prevention, early intervention, crisis transition and support, and social coalitions.

Franklin detailed these pillars as: prevention through proactive measures; early intervention with risk assessments and emergency outreach; crisis transition and support with immediate shelter, short-term housing, and essential support services; and social coalitions to strengthen partnerships between government, civil society, and the private sector.

Franklin disclosed that  the policy will be submitted to Cabinet by the end of the month and this will be  followed by public consultations.

He urged the private sector and the general public to increase their support for these initiatives, saying, “The advancement of these ventures is crucial, not just for stabilisation but for the empowerment of vulnerable persons who, in turn, can contribute to society.”

(SZB)