Solutions for Homelessness

KOMPAS/AGNES BENEDIKTA SWETTA BR PANDIA

A barracks in Pondok Sosial (Liponsos), Keputih Surabaya is inhabited by elderly people, on Friday (22/1/2021).

After decades of attempting to address the issue, homelessness is still a perpetual phenomenon in urban areas. A solution is still needed to overcome homelessness.

The Social Affairs Ministry noted in 2019 that 15,995 people were recorded to be homeless in Indonesia. The absence of an identity card (KTP) for the majority of the homeless have also hindered their ability to access social assistance, formal jobs, housing and free healthcare facilities.

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From Kompas’ coverage in the “Unheard Voice” section earlier this week, data showed that homelessness arose due to disparities in development in villages and cities. Because of this, many end up flocking to a certain city to try their luck.

The lack of opportunities to find jobs in rural areas and the high rate of poverty in villages, often encourage individuals to seek fortune in the city. Statistics Indonesia (BPS) notes, despite decreases from year to year, poverty in rural areas is always more rampant than in urban areas and is even higher than the national poverty rate.

Inevitably, if they initially settle in a city where they can get a job, these jobs are likely to be menial or odd jobs, which only rely on physical strength.

Unfortunately, many villagers move to cities without adequate education or skills. Inevitably, if they initially settle in a city where they can get a job, these jobs are likely to be menial or odd jobs, which only rely on physical strength.

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Call it an informal worker in the market or port, a construction worker, or a scavenger. As they age, these unskilled workers are cast aside by the arrival of younger competitors. This alienation causes people to become homeless and beggars as well. Homeless, they then rely on the mercy of the city’s residents. In this context too, there are many homeless people in the city because there are also more residents in the city, who can provide charity for the homeless.

KOMPAS/AGNES BENEDIKTA SWETTA BR PANDIA

As many as 15 elderly people have been living in the barracks for the homeless, beggars, street children and the elderly at Liponsos Keputih Surabaya, as seen on Friday (22/1/2021).

For decades, the government has tried to address the issue by raiding the streets, then educating the homeless in social institutions. Is this pattern effective? It is still questionable. From the accounts of numerous homeless people in Jakarta, Surabaya and Medan, the atmosphere of the social institutions was incompatible with their daily lives. What is urgently needed then is to create a conducive social institution and humanize the assisted residents.

How effective are social institutions in eradicating homelessness is the next question. Many different types of training is provided at the institutions, but has this training segregated them instead?

It was a great relief to hear the statement made by Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini, who emphasized that the homeless eradication program was no longer a project. The public is awaiting the implementation of this policy, bearing in mind that the state is obliged to manage the homeless and to present accurate solutions to address the issue. This obligation is in line with Article 34 Paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution, where “the poor and neglected children are cared for by the state.”

(This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia).