Minister of Social Development and Family Services, Donna Cox, says the Socially Displaced Persons Act is currently being reviewed.
Speaking at the Sod Turning Ceremony for an Assessment Centre and Temporary Housing Facility for Socially Displaced Persons on Wednesday, the Minister reiterated that her Ministry does not have the legislative authority to remove these people from the streets.
She confirmed that there are approximately 210 street dwellers in Port of Spain and environs according to a recent survey, noting that this new facility will assist in getting them a humane place to live and be assessed.
And Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds said T&T has been grappling with this issue of the socially displaced for years, noting that there are certain human rights issues.
When completed, the five-storey centre will house a minimum of 200 socially displaced persons and 25 staff at a time, with an assessment centre and shared communal spaces.