PORTLAND DROP-IN CENTER AND NIGHT SHELTER OFFCIALLY OPEN
The homeless population in Portland now has a safe place to sleep, access warm meals, medical care and other amenities following the official opening of the Portland Drop-in Center and Night Shelter. The facility was officially opened by Hon. Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government & Community Development, last Friday (July 18).
The facility is the first of its kind in the parish to operate on a 24-hour basis and will house up to 28 individuals at a time.
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie highlighted the need for the drop-in centers across the island stating that several million dollars have been allocated for accommodations for the impoverished to be built.
“We have spent more than $400 million building up these facilities across the country. And every one of these facilities is fully furnished. Proper staff and we have provided the requisite resources to ensure that food and medicine is available. What we are seeing is an approach by government, churches, [and] private sector to lift the standards and to improve the life of these persons who depend on the state for assistance.”
The Portland drop-in center was constructed at a cost of $56 million through the Municipal Corporation. The facility’s construction began in May 2024, and features separate female and male dormitories, showers, foyer, a dining area, doctor’s office and a laundry room. Other special features include ramps for the physically challenged and water-harvesting systems to collect and store rainwater.
