Work on the first-ever transit centre for the homeless in Penang is set to be completed by October, and is scheduled to open its doors by early 2022.
The three-storey building will consist of a free clinic, a recycling area, a disabled-friendly room, a bakery and a dining area, besides dormitories and beds, of course.
Photo via Twitter
The Mutiara Food Bank will also be located on the ground floor of the centre to hand out food to the less fortunate.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) Mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said the project will be managed by international charitable organisation, Buddhist Tzu-Chi Merits Society, once operations commence.
When the project was launched last year, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said a total of 592 vagrants and beggars were rounded up across the whole of Penang during 458 operations between January and December 2019.
He said the project will give the homeless a roof over the heads and get them off the streets.
Meanwhile, the building is also the first of its kind in the state to achieve triple net-zero energy, water and waste, according to Malay Mail.
A triple net-zero building means that all energy sources are fully renewable, water comes from a rainwater-harvesting system and zero waste is generated.
By: Kyle Roshen Jacob
