Penang homeless to get shelter

NGO-run centre to rehabilitate people by middle of next year

GEORGE TOWN: Senior citizens abandoned by their families with no place to go and sleeping on fivefoot ways around the iconic Komtar at night is a sight that tugs at the heartstrings.

But a solution may be close at hand. The state government is planning to set up a shelter for these homeless by the middle of next year.

The shelter, which is already in the design stage, will be located at a stretch of old shoplots along Jalan C.Y. Choy.

“Currently it is a dilapidated old building which would be restored and refurbished as it’s within the George Town heritage enclave,” said state Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh.

He said the plan was to have a fullfledged shelter, which could house up to 50 people, with all the basic amenities and also a pocket park.

“The people we take in will be rehabilitated and later sent back to their families or other centres as we bring in new batches of people,” he added.

Phee said the shelter would be run by non-governmental organisations with expertise and experience.

“We hope to resolve the issue of the homeless senior citizens. A survey showed that there were about 70 of them sleeping in the Komtar area at night,” he said.

“We need a long-term solution to the homeless issue as giving them food alone will not solve their problems as it had led to other issues such as hygiene and cleanliness.”

Phee said many of the homeless were also from other states. They do odd jobs but they could not afford to rent a room.

“Some of them have been placed with the People’s Housing Project, thanks to the Penang Island City Council,” he added.