Vanterpool Calls for Action on Homelessness
People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) leader Mark Vanterpool has accused the BVI of ignoring homelessness, citing accounts of people living in vehicles and calling for more resources to help residents in need.
People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) leader Mark Vanterpool has accused the BVI of ignoring homelessness, citing accounts of people living in vehicles and calling for more resources to help residents in need. Speaking on the party’s The People’s Mic podcast, Vanterpool said someone had directed his attention to two people living in a car in a parking lot.
He also recalled young people approaching him for help for a man living in a truck on family land in Long Trench. “We are hiding our heads in the sand. How can we address the homelessness in the British Virgin Islands? You know, it bothers me,” Vanterpool said. Asked whether any government needed to address the issue, he replied: “They must address it.
You cannot hide from it.” Vanterpool questioned the attention given to people facing hardship while the territory discussed its budget, which he put at $550 million. He acknowledged that neither he nor the government had all the answers. “But we can’t bury our heads in the sand and think that these things are not happening.
There are some people who may be able to do better, but there are those who can’t do better,” he stated. Homelessness has previously prompted calls for government action. In January 2020, then-Education Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley had raised concerns about homeless people in his constituency during Standing Finance Committee proceedings.
The report outlined discussion of a housing estate as a possible response. In January 2024, a homeless man’s removal from a ticket booth at the Road Town festival grounds had prompted residents to offer food, temporary accommodation and other assistance. Vanterpool also called for wider community involvement, saying political groups, Rotary and individuals should develop programmes to assist people.
He argued that the BVI was pretending poor residents did not need help and urged stronger support through social development services and voluntary efforts. He said a PLM government would assign a special team to work with people in need. While acknowledging that social development personnel were doing their best with available means, he called for additional resources and financial support.
Vanterpool also questioned whether the minister responsible for social development was satisfied with the assistance reaching people facing hardship.
Primary source: BVI News