More Transit Homes To Be Built To Protect Those In Need - Melaka Exco

JASIN, June 16 (Bernama) -- More transit homes will be established in Melaka to ensure that individuals and families in need have access to safe and comfortable temporary shelter.

Melaka Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security Committee chairman Muhamad Akmal Saleh said that currently there is only one transit home in each state constituency, but the initiative is no longer sufficient to accommodate the growing number of individuals and families requiring temporary housing due to various circumstances that have left them without shelter.

“Sometimes we receive cases involving people living in their cars, moving from one place to another, or staying under bridges because they cannot afford to rent a house.

“These transit homes were created to provide temporary accommodation for them. They do not have to pay anything and may stay for up to three months,” he told reporters after the contribution presentation ceremony to 30 asnaf recipients at the Serkam Transit Home and the ISP Group Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme at Kampung Serkam here.

He said the state government welcomes collaboration from corporate organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals willing to contribute towards expanding the number of transit homes in Melaka.

“Unused government land can be utilised for this purpose if there is cooperation from parties willing to provide funding for construction,” he said.

Dr Muhamad Akmal said that throughout the residents’ stay at the transit homes, various efforts would be undertaken to help them secure employment and stabilise their lives before moving to more suitable permanent housing.

“We do not merely provide temporary accommodation, but also help them rebuild their lives. Once their situation becomes stable, we can accommodate other families in need.

“The transit home concept is not intended for permanent residence, but rather to serve as a temporary bridge towards self-sufficiency,” he said.

Commenting on the transit home project in Kampung Serkam, he said five housing units had been developed through collaboration between the Serkam Darat Village Development and Security Committee and various stakeholders, with the number expected to increase to six units in the near future.

-- BERNAMA