The construction of an Assessment Centre and Temporary Housing Facility for the socially displaced at South Quay in Port of Spain is underway.
On Wednesday, Minister of Social Development and Family Services , Donna Cox, visited the site, which is expected to be completed by October this year.
“We have been trying to move persons and of course we don’t have the, legally, the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services cannot just move persons off the street. We have, we need assistance for mental health, the Ministry of Health, also we have to look at the legislation as well which we intend to do before this building is completed.”
Senior Social Work Specialist Stacey Toussaint said the Centre is intended to house 200 people and includes five family units.
“This is basically the first of its kind. It’s the Ministry’s desire to provide quality of care for socially displaced persons who are living on the street as well as people with social income due to a number of different issues.”
According to Ms. Toussaint, the comprehensive assessment done for each potential inhabitant will assist in determining the amount of help needed, training, and length of stay.