Portland’s First Drop-In Centre and Night Shelter Officially Opens to Serve the Homeless and Vulnerable
July 18, 2025 | Jamaica Live News Desk
Port Antonio, Jamaica – A major milestone in Jamaica’s social protection landscape was marked on Friday with the official opening of the Portland Drop-In Centre and Night Shelter, a facility aimed at providing safety, dignity, and basic care to the homeless and those most in need in the parish.
The new facility, spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, was formally opened by Minister Desmond McKenzie alongside Member of Parliament for East Portland, the Honourable Ann-Marie Vaz, and Mayor of Port Antonio, Paul Thompson.
Constructed at a cost of approximately $56 million, the shelter is fully outfitted with furniture, appliances, running water, electricity, and the necessary resources to provide food and medical assistance to its occupants. According to Minister McKenzie, the project was completed within budget despite slight delays, and forms part of a broader $400 million initiative by the government to establish similar facilities across the island.
“This is more than a building—it’s a statement. A statement that every Jamaican, regardless of circumstance, deserves to be treated with dignity,” Minister McKenzie said. “We have fully staffed this facility and provided what is needed to take care of those who are often forgotten—those suffering from mental illness, those abandoned by family, those living on our streets.”
MP Ann-Marie Vaz, who has been vocal about the need for such a facility in Portland, described the opening as a “momentous day” and a fulfilment of the Government of Jamaica’s commitment to care for its most vulnerable citizens.
“This long-awaited, essential building will provide a safe haven for our homeless population and those in need of a place to lay their heads,” Vaz wrote on social media. “It is a true testament to our commitment to our less fortunate sisters and brothers. This is a #GOJ at work.”
She also thanked Minister McKenzie and his team for responding to the call and ensuring the facility became a reality, reaffirming her commitment to continue working on behalf of the people of Portland.
Mayor Paul Thompson echoed the sentiments, calling for broader collaboration going forward.
“The government has done its part. Now it’s time for the business community and wider society to come forward and help ensure the long-term success of this important facility,” Thompson said, urging the establishment of a public-private partnership to sustain operations.
Minister McKenzie hinted at even more ambitious plans under a possible third term of the Holness administration, revealing that an expansive social housing and shelter programme is in the works, including the construction of major facilities in every parish capable of housing and caring for up to 100 homeless individuals.
“We’re talking about a national approach—state-of-the-art shelters with proper staffing, resources, and care for those who depend on the state. This is how we build a more inclusive Jamaica,” McKenzie declared.
The Portland Drop-In Centre now stands as a symbol of hope and compassion in Port Antonio, promising to transform lives and restore dignity to many who have long been left behind