MONTEGO BAY, St James — St James is set to get a transitional centre for the homeless according to Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie.

“It is a part of our overall programme,” the minister said at the official opening of St James Infirmary’s new kitchen and dining area on Friday.

When built, this would be the second adult transitional facility for the homeless. The Desmond McKenzie Transitional Centre for the Homeless was built in downtown Kingston in September 2022 and is being extended, increasing capacity from the current 40 to 100. These facilities are part of the local government ministry’s thrust to address challenges facing Jamaica’s more than 4,000-member homeless population.

According to McKenzie, he will provide additional details about the St James facility from the floor of the nation’s Parliament.

“It is the intention of the Administration, working with the National Housing Trust (NHT), which I’m going to be speaking of… in Parliament when I make my sectoral presentation,” he revealed.

“[I will discuss] what the outlook will be as we try to tackle homelessness in the country — especially for those persons living on our streets,” he added.

He stressed that a lot of thought had gone into the decision to set up a facility in Montego Bay.

“We don’t just get up and say we’re going to build it. We have the numbers to back it up,” McKenzie declared.

In bringing greetings before McKenzie spoke, mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon had urged the minister to consider setting up such a facility in the western city. According to him, there is land available for the project, but he did not specify where.

Also on Friday, residents and staff at the infirmary glowingly praised the improvements made to that State-run facility. According to McKenzie, there is now a dining area and the kitchen has the most modern equipment.

“This is more than amazing, this is beyond my expectations. I would love to replicate this right across all the infirmaries when it comes on to the kitchen and dining facilities because these people, in the twilight of their lives, need the best of what life has to offer,” he said during a walk-through of the facility.

He noted that the project was completed within budget.

“I’m proud that… it never cost the municipal corporation $1 more than the $23 million that was budgeted to construct the facility,” he said.