A nation is judged by the way it treats its most vulnerable citizens. The Government of Jamaica ought to be aware of the strategic value of caring for its most vulnerable to the transformation of the Jamaican society, and the critical role that local governance must play in reshaping the social and economic landscape of the country.

Homelessness and issues such as the health services, housing solutions, education, and the environment should figure prominently in reversing the cycle of poverty and access to basic services for the most vulnerable in our society. In a matter of days, Jamaicans will once again have the opportunity to deal with local governance issues as we prepare to invest 228 individuals with the responsibility to address and manage the resources and intellect that should assist in improving the quality of life for all citizens within the communities that they will represent.

Across Jamaica today, we can justly be ashamed of the rising numbers of disenfranchised Jamaicans, particularly as it relates to the now over 2,000 people residing in abject poverty on the streets across all parishes in the country, especially in prominent urban centres. The reality is that homelessness has had the patronage of numerous operatives over many decades, with the result that the scourge only continuously becomes worse over time. There are shelters, soup kitchens, and ad hoc group initiatives which often simply pander to the needs of the homeless at their convenience — and many times for the photo opportunity that the ‘feeding event’ can provide.

There have been formal debates this local government election period. These debates, by agenda, focused on everything but the basic, impacting issues of poverty and homelessness on the governance structure as it relates to creating and implementing meaningful and sustainable solutions to this long-outstanding scar on our social system.

There is little or no evidence to suggest that government-supported relief systems have substantially solved or reduced the issue of homelessness over decades. To the contrary,the statistics have shown that the number of homeless people continues to increase.

As advocate for the voiceless homeless, we contend that the time has come for a private sector-driven, united front to be adopted to care for the mentally challenged and homeless. This would be towards providing hope and dignity to a largely forgotten subset of society. Thus, thrust must be introduced with a measure of accountability and responsibility in creating a permanent, sustainable housing solution to the level of homelessness which exists. The provision of a community for homeless people under our proposed National Empowerment Shelter Transformation (NEST) Programme is being suggested as a practical solution to homelessness in Jamaica. The proposed NEST Programme, while subsidised by the Government, would be an agricultural and vocation-based residential environment that would continue to attract donors and volunteers to include former homeless people who would themselves become useful mentors and assistants.

We all naturally feel sympathy for the plight of the homeless. The solution to homelessness, however, cannot be seen as more continuous, ineffective platitudes from Government. Homelessness can be prevented or significantly reduced if those who really care assist those who are vulnerable to develop self-discipline and become motivated to a re-socialised state of mind. The process will not necessarily be easy; however, there are several engaged private organisations that are already doing good work in this area which need to consolidate efforts as we contemplate the establishment of a comprehensive programme for a final solution to the issue of homelessness.

At this time, we implore all prospective local representatives to engage the issue of homelessness and support the NEST Programme. We further say to the caring Government — we’ve all seen the “We care” ads in the media — that, in keeping with our promise, a very good place to demonstrate sincerity is to elevate our homeless “from poverty to prosperity” through the full support for a NEST Programme. Further details of the NEST concept can be gleaned from our website at

www.unitejamaicapeople.com.

Simone Myrie is president of Unite Jamaica People. Send comments to the Observer or unitejamaicapeople@gmail.com.