Charity teams with parish councils to help redo homes
A charity helping to end homelessness is asking parish councils to identify derelict buildings that could be repurposed as low-cost homes.
Denise Carey, Home’s executive director, has presented the idea to three councils and hopes to meet two more soon.
The response so far, she said, had been like an “awakening” with councillors saying they did not appreciate the extent of the homelessness issue.
Ms Carey explained: “I’ve reached out to various different parish councils requesting an opportunity to come and present to them and appeal to them to look at the inventory of derelict buildings in their parish and make recommendations for some properties that may have been deserted.
The Royal Gazette, in conjunction with stakeholders including Home, has launched its Ending Homelessness campaign to remind the community that people affected by homelessness matter.
Home, and others, want to end homelessness. So do we. We want your support. We want you to change your perception of members of the unsheltered population. We want you to help lobby for simple changes. We want you to show compassion.
Homeless people want to work so that they can 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.
“We are not looking for properties where there are family disputes or where there are court proceedings, but properties where the person may have passed and may not have had a family.”
It is hoped that eventually an inventory of homes will be identified and Home will then work with the councils on generating funds for renovation work.
Money could come through initiatives such as partnerships with private developers, who would be guaranteed rent, or people could be allowed to live in a space they have renovated for a defined period of time.
“In some jurisdictions, property owners invite young first-time owners to renovate a space and then live there for a certain number of years,” added Ms Carey. “There are many different opportunities that are available.
“We are going to have to be creative but it starts with the fact that there’s no housing inventory.
“As much as we talk about needing additional units, we still are not clear on exactly how many units are available and how many units we actually need.
“There are many ‘hidden homeless’ who are housing insecure or have inadequate housing and are currently living in temporary accommodation. This is unsustainable.”
After meeting the councils, Ms Carey said: “The first response really was an awakening.
“It was ‘I didn't realise how vast the problem was’, but I don’t think that they also realised how they can be a part of the solution.
“I think generally people want to do something, they just don’t know what to do or what’s realistic to do.
“Once we start sharing different ideas, I think they’ll find that there are potential options within the respective parishes.”
She added: “One thing we know is that there are persons experiencing homelessness or are being threatened with homeless in every single parish. So every new unit that we’re able to bring on line is going to help.”
• If you know of a derelict building in your parish that you believe may have been abandoned, e-mail info@home.bm
In 2010, the Bermuda Census identified 82 people experiencing homelessness. By 2016, that number had risen to 138.
According to Home, the Department of Statistics developed those estimates based on counting rough sleepers and the population housed in the Salvation Army emergency shelter.
As of December 31, 2023, Home recorded Bermuda’s homeless population as 811.
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