Homelessness issue is a ‘crisis’
In 2023, the number of homelessness cases in Bermuda increased by 161 from the previous year, according to statistics compiled by the homeless charity Home.
The figure was among several published in the organisation’s annual report, which was released yesterday. The report covers multiple facets of the issue, including statistics, action taken by Home to end homelessness and its plans to address the issue this year.
The report sheds light on various categories of individuals who were living in shelters, those residing in homes for the homeless, those under threat from eviction and people living in temporary and non-conventional structures.
According to Home, the total number of cases on its register at December 2023 stood at 811. The figure reflected an increase of 256 cases over the past two years.
The Royal Gazette in conjunction with stakeholders including Home has launched its Ending Homelessness campaign to remind the community that the homeless matter.
Home, and others, want to end homelessness. So do we. We want your support. We want you to change your perception of the homeless. We want you to help lobby for simple changes. We want you to show compassion.
Homeless people want to work so that they may be self-sufficient. They did not choose to be homeless, and in many cases their plight was brought about by systemic failings in this country.
Home has produced a report, Plan to End Homelessness, which is out for consultation and points to issues and solutions to the homelessness problem in Bermuda. It can be seen in Related Media.
Geographically, from location data provided for 311 homelessness cases, 197 were for people who resided outside the City of Hamilton, the report stated.
Over the past two years, Home also recorded a number of immigrant cases requiring accommodation. In 2021, there were two cases, and that number climbed to 18 at the end of 2023.
Denise Carey, the chief executive of Home, deemed the homelessness issue a “crisis”. She said that “immediate and long-term housing solutions are critically needed” to address the social issue.
Ms Carey said that since the charity was formed, most of the people who registered with Home have been men. She said the stories described by them speak of “harsh journeys resulting in homelessness largely due to limited access to affordable housing.”
Ms Carey said the authorities must find a way to create affordable homes for the homeless.
“Bermuda must create a definition for affordable housing and set targets for delivering a set number of affordable homes each year. Bermuda’s housing supply must address demand,” she said.
Ms Carey said there is also need for an accommodations database.
“A national register of landlords and rental agencies is needed for Bermuda to establish a property portal that captures all social, affordable or rental accommodation in both social and private sectors in a centralised database,” she said.
Arthur Wightman, founder and non-executive chairman of Home, said the charity remains “deeply optimistic about the opportunity to end homelessness in Bermuda”.
He said that optimism lies in the efforts by the team of the charity to “turn lives around, even in the most unimaginative of circumstances”.
Public awareness is increasing, and perceptions and media reporting are shifting away from negative stereotypes, he said. “It is the public which can demand change,” he added. He called on all stakeholders to make the issue a priority.
“Ending homelessness must become a public and policy priority,” Mr Wightman said.
• The read Home’s full report, see Related Media.
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