First session on homelessness plan scheduled
Public forums will spotlight homelessness in Bermuda in the coming weeks.
Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, encouraged people to attend the sessions and share their thoughts on the Draft Plan to End Homelessness.
The draft plan, which was released to the public last month, has input from more than 400 people who are either homeless or considered at risk.
Members of the Path to End Homelessness advisory panel and steering committee, which developed the proposal, include Ms Furbert, Denise Carey, the chief executive of the charity Home, Puisne Judge Juan Wolffe, John Barritt, chair of the Bermuda Housing Trust, and Dwayne Caines, the City of Hamilton’s chief executive.
Dwayne Caines, the City of Hamilton’s chief executive, sits on the Path to End Homelessness advisory panel.
He said ending homelessness is a “disciplined and collaborative process that requires everyone to take active role.
“I believe that by the private sector, government and quangos working together, we can truly make a difference.”
The blueprint proposes that “rapid rehousing” leading to long-term accommodations is key to ending homelessness.
It stated: “Rapid rehousing reduces rough sleeping, reduces repeat homelessness, reduces public spending on expensive temporary accommodation, reduces the destabilising and marginalising effects of prolonged homelessness or prolonged stays in emergency or temporary settings and improves people’s quality of life and health outcomes, resulting in savings for public services.”
The sessions will take place at the Chamber of Commerce on Pitts Bay Road from 6pm to 7pm.
The first is scheduled for Tuesday and will address causes of homelessness, and the second, which will be held on February 6, will discuss the draft plan.
The third session will take place on February 20 and will highlight vacant properties around the island, as well as comments from landlords and landowners.
The final forum, on March 5, will examine the state of homelessness on the island.
Ms Furbert said the public’s feedback on the blueprint is “invaluable in fortifying this plan to truly reflect the needs and aspirations of our community.
“After considering all of your input, the comprehensive strategic plan will be finalised and published in April 2024 for subsequent execution.”
People can submit feedback about the plan until the end of February.
• To see the draft plan in full, see Related Media
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