SIBU: Homeless individuals now have a roof over their head with the commissioning of a Safe Transit Haven (STH) here.

       State Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said three more of these homes, one each in Kuching, Bintulu and Miri, would be set up.

       “History has been created with the establishment of the STH in Sibu. Our dream has become a reality. Thanks to the Chief Minister and the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government for approving this project.

       “This one is the benchmark for upcoming STHes in Kuching, Bintulu and Miri,” she said at the centre’s opening yesterday.

       The former Maksak (Civil Servants Sports and Welfare Organisation) building at Jalan Sanyan here was converted to the STH at the cost of RM515,000. The state has also approved a one-off grant of RM244,800 for the centre’s operation.It can accommodate up to 40 (20 men and 20 women) at one time.

       The centre had taken in 17 homeless from Dec 6 to Jan 26. Of that number, five had gone back to their families, two had found jobs and accommodations provided by their employers, and another two left voluntarily.

       “This is a temporary shelter for the homeless where they can bathe, have meals and sleep at night. During the day they are free to go out. We are also providing them with living skills so that they can be financially independent later on,” said Fatimah.

       She added that her ministry had identified a total of 158 homeless individuals across the state as at December 2021. Bintulu has the most with 48, followed by Kuching (31), Sibu (28), Miri (24) and the rest in other towns.

       From the ministry’s findings on why people became homeless, she said 38% of such cases were due to family problems, 33% had mental health problems, 12% had no place to stay, 10% were alcoholics, 5% were jobless, and other reasons (2%).

       “Nobody wants to become homeless, and there is no reason for them to sleep along the five-foot way of shophouses, but it is circumstances that force them to,” she said.

       Fatimah said she was delighted that while others celebrate the Chinese New Year, the homeless now have a temporary place to stay.

       The STH will be managed by several NGOs in Shan Xin Malaysia, Sibu chapter, with assistance from other NGOs, including the Lions Club, Jaycees International, Malaysian Red Crescent Society, and churches, she added.