Homelessness in Kuala Lumpur

Homeless people are often depicted as persons who sleep on the streets and/or beg for alms. Street homelessness is the most visible kind. A survey and report was done by the Penang Institute in 2014. In 2010, the Social Welfare Department conducted a survey and found 1,387 individuals were homeless.

Figure 1: Homeless profile in Kuala Lumpur according to Age and Gender

Men are over-represented in the homeless community (85%). And so are senior citizens (60 years and above) who make up 22% of the survey results but comprise 5.1% of the population above 65 in 2010.

In Figure 2 below, Indians and Chinese are somewhat over-represented (18% and 45% respectively). In terms of 2010 census, Chinese and Indians made up 43% and 18% respectively of the population in Kuala Lumpur.

Figure 2: The breakdown of ethnicity and state of birth

of homeless persons in Kuala Lumpur

Homeless persons in the heart of Kuala Lumpur can be seen at Puduraya terminal, Dayabumi Complex, Petaling Street, Central Market, Klang Bus Stand, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Chow Kit. Some live underneath bridges – along Jalan Istana, Brickfields, Syed Putra or Jalan Kinabalu.

Authorities may find a large number of homeless people an “eyesore” in Kuala Lumpur. What are the underlying causes?

Figure 3: Main causes of homelessness

Figure 3 shows main causes of homelessness of those surveyed and the top 5 were:

·       Unemployment;

·       Low income;

·       No living family and old age;

·       Drug addiction; and

·       Abandoned by family

Other surveys showed that debt, chronic illness and unemployment were common causes cited. Many problems are interconnected. Generally, they have little or no social support from friends, family or authorities. Systemic problems cited include low wages, lack of affordable housing, lack of mental services, lost documents, amongst others.

There are many NGOs, registered and non-registered, working tirelessly to aid the homeless. A flavour of the time schedule and hot spots visited by various soup kitchens include:

Figure 4: Time schedule of varied on duty soup kitchens in Kuala Lumpur

Figure 5: Hotspots visited by varied soup kitchens in Kuala Lumpur

Greater coordination of the various organisations may help matters.

The Penang Institute Report suggests the following recommendations to be followed:

·       Repeal the Destitute Persons Act 1977;

·       Review all persons detained in welfare homes;

·       Cease plans to criminalize homelessness;

·       Improve social outreach;

·       Create a high-level working group in cities – Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bharu;

·       Have a National Welfare Foundation that is more transparent; and

·       Upgrade services in welfare homes

Homelessness can be reduced but not, perhaps, eliminated totally. Political will, passionate people and effective coordination may get the numbers down. But as usual it is hard work for fruits to bloom

Reference:

Homelessness in Our Cities, Penang Institute, March 2015