~Shelter occupants get 10:00pm curfew ~
PHILIPSBURG–Lavern Stay is one of the many residents who lost their homes during the passage of devastating Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017. She has been living in the Government’s shelter at the Little League ballpark since November after staying with friends and family.
Stay and other persons living in the Festival Village and ballpark met on Tuesday with members of the Social Affairs Department and Dr. J. Foundation, which are tasked with moving those still in need to a new facility managed by the Foundation. Residents were informed that they needed to sign an agreement but would not receive a copy of the agreement due to sensitive information in the document.
Residents were outraged and Stay told officials present that she would like to get the agreement and look it over before signing any agreement. The representatives present ignored the homeless persons and said they would have to sign there and then or risk not being able to move into the new facility.
“They also told us that we needed to pay US $500 monthly if we are working. I have no issue with that, but what got us upset is that we have a curfew of 10:00pm daily and a roommate who cannot afford the monthly fee will be selected and placed in every person’s living quarters. They said we cannot pick our roommate,” Stay said on Friday.
Some of the residents refused to sign the agreement until they were allowed to get copies. “I work as a security officer and work 12-hour shifts just to get a decent salary. I don’t understand why Government is treating its own residents so unfair. We did not ask for our home to be blown away by the hurricane.
“What makes it worse is that if we do not sign and we were given a deadline of March 30, we would be out on the street. I was first told that I can come by on Wednesday to discuss the agreement and talk about the curfew. I was told they would contact me. I called them on Friday and they told me that the deadline has passed and they cannot accommodate me.
“What am I supposed to do now? Is it that I go on the street now and live? And I told them I just needed to get the copy of the agreement. I would like to Government, particularly Minister of Social Affairs Emil Lee, to look into this right away,” said Stay.
Doing their best
Minister of Social Affairs Emil Lee responded to questions asked by The Daily Herald about the situation and said on Thursday, “A general meeting was held at the Government Building with the residents on March 27 at 7:00pm to rectify the incorrect information/complaints which have been circulating regarding the Emergency Transitional Housing Programme.
“The residents to be housed via the Emergency Transitional Housing Programme take part in a reintegration programme, which is managed by the Dr. J. Foundation. The programme offers a temporary solution with the aim to assist persons towards regaining their independence and help them transition back to their community within a period of 3-6 months.
“Everyone participating will definitely receive a copy of their signed agreements. The agreement consists of basic shelter rules and procedures, which include a contribution fee for employed persons only and a curfew for all residents. Unemployed persons are also required to contribute, via alternative means, based on their personal situation. This can be a lower monetary fee, work at the ‘shelter’ or community work.
“Each resident’s situation is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Regarding the curfew, persons who work at night or have an outing to attend, they can be granted permission for an extended curfew. The curfew at the shelter is based on an internationally established norm and is something that will be taken seriously.
“In addition, part of the contribution fee will be returned to residents once they are ready to return to their community in their own independent dwelling. This contribution fee can then be used for down payments on apartments or to assist with purchasing furniture, for example. We want to enable residents with a fresh start, in all aspects.
“Dr. J. Foundation is doing an excellent job with the transition to the new shelter, and working with each resident to ensure persons understand their role in the programme.
Besides counselling, the Foundation will help to reintegrate shelter residents into the community by working with other Government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to make that transition as seamless as possible. “Residents will be assisted with finding new permanent homes, financial guidance; budgeting and saving methods, assistance with sourcing employment opportunities and more.
“Dr. J Foundation and the staff of VSA [Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour – Ed.] are both extremely busy with the transition from Festival Village and the Little League ballfield to the new shelter residence, and will be issuing a release and hosting a possible event next week to inform the media and general public about the details of the programme and living agreements.”
He again stressed that this has not been done before, as the priority is to have residents transition smoothly to the new shelter, while safeguarding safety and privacy.
Meanwhile, the Foundation has not called Stay to accommodate her move and she is afraid that she will be told to vacate her temporary living quarters at the ballfield if they do not come and allow her to join the programme.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/75189-homeless-resident-speaks-out-about-unfair-treatment-by-govt
View comments
Hide comments