Homeless By Choice: Busy City Streets By Day Turn To Sleeping Ground At Night

By day, these are busy streets of Suva, but by night some become a shelter for the increasing number of homeless in the Capital City.

Mahendra Bali has been living on the streets for some years now and despite having a family, he chooses to remain on the streets.

There are many like Mr Bali, who are homeless by choice and their numbers are increasing.

Suva Street in Toorak, Amy Street, Knolly Street, Renwick Road, Waimanu Road and Raojibhai Patel Street are just some places where the homeless congregate to settle for the night.

Homeless people is a long ongoing issue, according to the Director of Social Welfare, Rupeni Fatiaki.

“It is very interesting to note that there are different types of people on the streets,” he said.

“We have done our own profiling and have come across different categories.

“These are people who have homes but choose to stay in the streets. The home environment is not conducive and they do not feel loved or accepted by their families.

“They find themselves more comfortable on the streets.”

Homeless people sleeping on the streets.

Those dubbed street people are provided free food almost every day by religious and charity organisations.

Every morning, a large number of homeless people can be seen sitting at Ratu Sukuna Park with their bags. When approached, many have said they would prefer to be on the streets than go to their villages.

Business houses said they had offered employment to some, but many have grown prone to the handout. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Police, Suva City Council and charity organisations are doing the best they can to address the problem.

Edited by Percy Kean

Feedback:  shalveen.chand@fijisun.com.fj