REALITY
MAGAZINE
HOMELESSNESS VANESSA DAVIDS
Homelessness in Kin
H
omelessness has always been a worldwide issue plaguing the nation on a wide spectrum. This problem is prominent in Jamaica, and is being overlooked by individuals who have the required resources to curve such issues and alter the situation to make the lives of such individuals a better one. Poverty, which is a contributor of homelessness, and which has become a slippery slope effect on the society, affecting generations upon generations, is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as ‘the state of being poor or the state of lacking in particular quality’. Before one can establish the status of an individual, and establish whether an individual is homeless one must first understand the meaning of homelessness.
What it means to be homeless The official definition of a homeless
individual as described by a health centre funded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is an individual who lacks housing with regards to whether the individual is a member of a family. It includes individuals whose primary residence during the night is a supervised public or private
facility that provides temporary living accommodations, and an individual who is a resident in transitional housing who may live on the streets, stay in a shelter, single room occupancy facilities, abandoned buildings or vehicles as well as any other unstable or non-permanent situation.
The Statistics According to a survey conducted in March 2015 it was determined that there has been twenty-six percent jump in the number of homeless individuals when compared to the survey conducted in 2012. Of that twenty-six percent, only 181 of those individuals were on the poor relief roll, the others were not accounted for on a Government survey of those who had nowhere to call home. In researches conducted by the Ministry of Local Government in March of 2015, it was estimated that approximately 1,100 persons were recorded as residence of the street. These individuals were residing in Kingston and St. Andrew with several of them being under the age of 40 years old. Organizations such as the Friends of the Homeless are non-governmental and non-profit organizations (NGO’s) have committed their services to eliminating
ngston & St. Andrew homelessness in Jamaica. Their objective is to network with governmental and NGO’s, as well as private sponsors to acquire financial support with the aim of implementing and developing programmes while maintaining the highest possible standards. Save the Funds (SJF), a UK based organization is another organization that aims at making a difference and minimizing the present rate of homelessness in Jamaica. Their focus however is centred on funding the education of Jamaican children while concurrently providing shelter for homeless people who are categorized as vulnerable; essentially the elderly, the disabled and those who have children. With their three top objectives being to fund the schooling of less fortunate children and young adults in Jamaica, to build homeless accommodation in each of the 14 parishes in Jamaica and to advance the education of children and adults in the UK by the teaching of Jamaican culture and heritage, through workshops, seminars, shows and exhibitions. These conventions comprise the study of music, literature, art, dance and history, the SJF aims every year to put a minimum of 15 children into school, some for the first time entering school. As stated by Local Government and Community
Development Minister Desmond McKenzie, it has now been determined that $24 million from the 2016/17 budget will be dedicated to upgrading the Poor Relief Department’s drop-in centre on Hanover Street in downtown Kingston.
People of the streets Documenting the homeless of Jamaica in Cross Roads, Half Way Tree, Downtown and New Kingston was an eye opener. Photographing news issues are far more complex than a photographer (whether experienced or an amateur) may imagine. For each person that currently reside on the streets of the corporate area, they all have a different story to tell. Having conversations with those homeless persons, who are labelled as ‘mad people’ by others, allows one to learn a whole lot about them. Their intentions are just to make a living just like everyone, with exception of them having it twice as hard with twice as much challenge as the average person. Many of these homeless persons are well educated individuals who can maintain intelligent conversations.
“AN INSPIRATION FOR CHANGE”
This man in Downtown, Kingston spotted the camera and smiled contentedly with the camera. He explained that his situation could have been different, but he was forced to live on the streets aſter an unsettled dispute with his family.
This man throws what he believes is whisky into his soda bottle and shakes it. He is resting by the gates of the Ministry of Health in Cross Roads, allowing nothing to hinder him from enjoying the weather and a nice mixed drink.
“Beg yuh a ting nuh.� -Hector
Hector greets the camera with the gesture he greets everyone with; palm open in anticipation for money.
Sam, dressed for the heat makes himself comfortable while observing what is happening in his surroundings.
Al observes passerby in Downtown, Kingston while contemlating where his next meal will be coming from.
This Homeless man takes a rest after walking the streets of Downtown Kingston on April 27, 2016.
This homeless man is ensuring nothing is missing from his bags while taking a breaking from the hot sun in Cross Roads, Kingston.
Houston enjoys a refreshing coca-cola soda on a hot day in the Crossroads area on April 25, 2016.
This young man seen in the Downtown, Kingston decided that the sun being hot would not be his reason for missing out on adequate rest.
Barely unable to say his name, William stands right in the path of the pedestrians in Half Way Tree with his hand made collection pan. He waits in the path anticipating the sound of the coins to hitting the bottom of the plastic container.
No horns from cars nor chatter from pedestrians could prevent this young man from enjoying his moment of rest on the hot concrete bench in the Downtown Kingston vicinity.
This man seen in Downtown, Kingston seem to have endless worries and dreams all combined.
This man enjoys the weather in the Crossroads area watching the vehicular traffic moving through the main intersection.
This homeless man enjoys a free meal of white rice and stewed peas given to him by a ‘good samaritan’.
Lounging on a brick wall with a metal head rest, Wilbert relaxes and enjoys his mango on the streets of Downtown Kingston.
Brown in the vicinity of the Pavilion Mall in Half Way Tree extending a hand hoping for the assistance of a good samaritan.
Brown, frustrated from what appears to be his everyday schedule, takes a break to rest his outstretched hands.
REALITY MAGAZINE Vanessa Davids University of Technology, Jamaica © 2016