RESIDENTS of the Centre for Socially Displaced Persons at Riverside Plaza carpark, Port of Spain have condemned the government and described the relocation of 90 occupants on Thursday as inhumane.
Just before noon, officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services started clearing the area.
Management of the building will be handed back to the National Insurance Property Development Co Ltd.
In 1991, the Society of St Vincent de Paul agreed with the ministry to use the centre as a temporary rehabilitation facility. The centre has a maximum capacity of 200 people, to be cared for by a staff of 14.
But owing to numerous challenges, the ministry decided to move the residents and close the centre.
In a release on Saturday, the society said it was disappointed by the government’s decision.
As some of the residents were taken to another facility, others asked to be taken to the homes of friends and family.
[caption id="attachment_972974" align="alignnone" width="1024"] A Ministry of Social Development vehicle outside the closed Centre for Socially Displaced Persons at Riverside Plaza in Port of Spain on Wednesday. - SUREASH CHOLAI[/caption]
Thirty-four residents, who declined alternative placement, settled on the pavement. Twenty others left voluntarily.
When Newsday got there, only a handful of people – some sheltering from the sun at the side of the building – were spread across the entrance. The centre was empty and the main gate had been locked.
Newsday spoke to a few of them, who explained there had been rumours about the relocation over the past weeks, but they were only given official notice to leave the premises five days ago.
The notice from the ministry, dated August 26, told the residents the centre was intended to be a temporary shelter to help socially-displaced people reintegrate into society.
It said the ministry is already creating “suitable alternative accommodation as part of its continuum of care for socially-displaced persons.”
It added that the ministry had met with the residents to assess, identify and determine any special immediate and long-term needs.
On August 10, line minister Donna Cox said some of the residents would be relocated according to their needs. Some were moved to Vision on Mission, New Life Ministries and community care programmes among others.
Contacted for comment, Anthony Salloum, founder of the NGO Homeless Assistance Office, said the space he’s allowed to use on the ground floor will not be affected by the eviction process just yet.
He preferred to monitor the development of the situation before he saying more.
Andy Pierre, a resident for four years, felt the ministry “didn’t deal with us with justice.”
He claimed his grant was temporarily stopped weeks before the relocation.
“A little time after that, they come and say the building has to close down. Now all who had the vibes to go out and try something for themselves, there was no regard for them. They just come and grab who they want to chock them in rehab...I put w
