Concerns raised over transitional home security
Premier and Seventh District Representative Dr Natalio Wheatley.
Residents in the Seventh and Eighth districts have raised concerns about the proposed Transitional Centre planned for the East End community, prompting responses from Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley and government officials at a recent public meeting.
Addressing residents, Dr Wheatley said the facility is intended to provide structured support to vulnerable people already in the community.
“We have members of our community — right there in our community, who are wandering the streets,” Dr Wheatley said. He added that some individuals require trained personnel to assist with daily care, including meals and hygiene.
“These persons need government workers, persons trained, who are able to meet with these persons and to look after them,” he said.
The Premier stated that the objective is to improve order and safety in the area. “The whole concept is for us to bring a more orderly, safe and secure environment to those persons,” Dr Wheatley said. He added that the intention is “not really to make persons uncomfortable in their own community. It’s actually the opposite”.
During the meeting, residents questioned whether the facility would replicate the Safe Haven model, including 24-hour security. In response, a ministry representative confirmed. “The short answer is yes. We will be replicating the same model from Safe Haven for this facility”.
The official added that “24-hour security will be there and staffing as well as the programmes to support those individuals living with those challenges”.
Concerns were also raised about parking, density and possible impacts on neighbouring property owners. Project representative Greg Massicott said that while a property valuation assessment had not been conducted, parking provisions would meet planning requirements. “Parking would not be a problem. The property is going to be excavated to accommodate cars,” he said.
Officials explained that the centre would initially operate as a stabilisation facility before functioning as a step-down tier from Safe Haven. Programmes are expected to include counselling, employment support and mental health services.
Premier Wheatley said the government has already begun construction. The Health Minister indicated the Transitional Centre is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
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an unmitigated disaster. I can already see the drug use, the graffiti, the garbage, smell the urine, the outdated and disused appliances scattered around the premises. The building will be a concrete shoe box that a family member will be contracted to build – no galvanized pitched roof of course… . He mentions 24 hour staff, we all know that wont last. As for the trained case workers, will they magically appear by the time construction is finished? Because there are no such workers (of any significant amount that are not already working) in the territory.
Thank you for highlighting this
@ This will be…..You are such a negative Ingrate.
Give me one thing these set have done for which I should be grateful.
Just wait for construction to ‘finish’. I will have the last laugh on this one…
Yes, transitional housing should have security measures to ensure a safe, stable environment for residents, staff, and the surrounding community. Professional security deters crime, manages crises (including medical emergencies and drug overdoses), and provides peace of mind for vulnerable populations, such as survivors of domestic violence or those recovering from homelessness. Residents must take mandatory showers daily or move out.
“We have members of our community — right there in our community, who are wandering the streets,” Dr Wheatley said. He added that some individuals require trained personnel to assist with daily care, including meals and hygiene.
Those members been there before you were born son.
Whervthey get the trained wotlrkets from