Homelessness in Port of Spain: A concern of rapid urbanization

A homeless person in Port of Spain
Photograph by Nicola Mathura and Dianne Mahabir

The problem of homelessness has been necessitated by several factors, including persistent population increases, inadequate housing, and uncontrolled urban growth pattern resulting in “homelessness” among the vast majority of urban dwellers. (Lawrence, 2014). Urbanization is also defined by the United Nations as movement of people from rural to urban areas with population growth equating to urban migration (United Nations, 2008). The sequential progress of the capital city of Trinidad and Tobago, Port of Spain, involving urban revolution, urban sprawl and development of high-rise buildings as the economy flourished came with numerous negative effects which reflects on mostly on society. Furthermore, with the goal of most states to provide the necessary housing to ensure decent and affordable shelter to the people, particularly the urban poor, is therefore central to the achievement and improvement of both human living standards and societal development (Jiboye, 2011). However, this still a work in progress as can be seen as you walk through the streets of Port of Spain, you notice individuals people clad in torn shirts, sleeping in boxes or roadsides with high body odours all in the hope someone would give a donation. This is always such an pitiful and heart-rendering sight.

 In the picture above is a homeless man who is shirtless and sits on the ground as this seems to be his only space to reside: the public streets of the city. Homelessness, can be as a result of many reasons apart from limited affordable housing. These may include: loss of income, broken relationships, living in poverty, violence and substance abuse. However, such an issue can be detrimental to the person who is homeless, the environment and economy signifying the lack of the government’s ability to provide adequate housing. Affordable housing is limited in cities and states across the globe. The man in the image above also seems serious but helpless as he seems to be slightly concerned about a photograph being taken. Such an issue can affect the person through the loss of skills, health becoming impaired as well as the inability to consider employment as they are already struggling for shelter. Homelessness also damages people's resilience, self-esteem and self-confidence.

Furthermore, an article produced in the year 2010 on Trinidad Guardian entitled Heating up the homeless issue states “As previous efforts at clearing the homeless from the nation’s streets have proved time and again, the easiest thing to do is to arrest people for vagrancy. What’s been consistently missing is the kind of social services support and humane administration that makes sense of dozens of different life stories and attempts to chart a course that compassionately sorts them out.” Such an act should be dealt with differently to reduce some of the impacts these unfortunate people tend to face. Improved strategies and plans should be implemented to target this problem by providing homes. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques can be used for collecting data which can then be analyzed comparing before and after the implementation of the housing, clinics for the assessment of selected health, education and family planning and eventual employment opportunities so that these people can make a contribution to society. Charity, hosting of events and fund-raising can also be incorporated in the improvement plan.

Furthermore, there are many cities and states where there are housing available with lowered rent rates. The utilities are also subsidized so the family or individual can afford to pay for everyday items. There are typically limited units available, and the funding for the units may also be limited. 

References :

Trinidad Gaurdian. (2010, November 29). “Heating up the homeless issue.” Retrieved April 2, 2016. http://www.guardian.co.tt/editorial/2010/11/29/heating-homeless-issue

Adedokun. (2014). Urbanization, Environment and Homelessness in the Developing world: The Sustainable Housing Development. Retrieved March 31, 2016, from http://www.mcser.org/journal/index.php/mjss/article/viewFile/1984/1983