Tiang (second from right) presenting the mock cheque to Teng at the event.
HOMELESS individuals putting up at the Safe Transit Haven (STH) in Sibu can now seek rental assistance from the Sarawak government if they find accommodation elsewhere.
Deputy Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Michael Tiang said he would use his office’s capacity to assist them in applying for the aid.
“This home is not a permanent place for the homeless. It is just a transit place for them to bathe, have meals and sleep at night.
“During the day, they are free to go out. If they get a job and want to rent a room, they do not have to worry as I can assist them to apply for the monthly rental assistance of RM200,” he said.
Tiang said the monthly rental assistance was for 36 months.
“I hope STH can work closely with the ministry to assist the homeless apply for the aid,” he told reporters at a breaking-of-fast event with residents,
Tiang also praised 12 non-governmental organisations for voluntarily helping to run and manage the centre.
He said they had also been giving out food baskets to the centre.
“The best way for NGOs to distribute the food baskets is for them to work with the STH to design a programme where they can take turns giving out such aid,” he suggested.
The Pelawan assemblyman also commended the centre, which he said was the best model for similar centres to be set up in Kuching, Bintulu and Miri.
The former Maksak (Civil Servants Sports and Welfare Organisation) building at Jalan Sanyan has been converted to STH at a cost of RM515,000.
The state government also approved a one-off grant of RM244,800 for the operation of the centre.
STH can accommodate up to 40 people, 20 men and 20 women.
The centre took in 17 homeless people between Dec 6 and Jan 26.
Of the number, five have gone back to their families, two have found jobs with accommodation provided by their employers.
At the event, Tiang presented a government grant of RM10,000, which was received by STH chairman Kapitan Teng Ing Chang.
