THE construction works of a transit centre for the homeless in Jalan C.Y. Choy in George Town is expected to be completed in October this year.
State Welfare and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the project was initially scheduled to be completed in August this year but was delayed due to the implementation of the first movement control order (MCO) last year.
“As of now, the project is 49 percent complete and since we can operate at full force now, we are confident of doing our best to ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated time.
“The transit centre also is expected to be fully operational in January 2022,” Phee told Buletin Mutiara during an interview session today.
Phee said the RM4.4 million transit centre for the homeless was funded by the Penang government, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and private sector.
The project, which was announced by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow during the state assembly meeting in 2018, is to turn a pre-war house at 19, Jalan C.Y. Choy into the transit centre for the homeless.
When completed, Phee said the centre would be equipped with 80 beds for the homeless, with separate dorms for men, women and disabled.
Also included in the plan are a workshop for residents to learn living skills, an administrative office, an open-air laundry yard, a collection centre for Mutiara Food Bank to help feed the poor, and a proposed gallery and Bohemian-style cafe specially for students to study and to have quiet discussions.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Law Suun Ting