Accra, Aug. 29, GNA - Construction of a hostel to accommodate the homeless in Accra starts next month at Brekuso, near Ashongman. The hostel to be known as the Itumeleng Shelter or Happy Shelter, is designed to be the model of the first step in finding solutions to the nation's housing problem, especially for the unemployed and youth selling on the streets in the city.
Briefing the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at the launch of the project in Accra on Friday, Mr Richard Aboagye, Itumeleng Shelter Manager, said a number of hostels would be built before the end of the year, with some being student facility types.
"We currently have six acres (2.4 hectares) available for this project which will house 6,500 young men and women in the first phase, he said.
He explained that the project, a wholly private sector initiative, would have each block made from techpress technology with simple, cost effective parts to house 100 persons.
Techpres technology is a technology that makes use of just one per cent of cement, thus saving on 45 per cent of the total cost involved.
He said this shelter afforded the poorest of the poor an opportunity to enjoy a roof over their heads.
"This comes with toilet, shower and a main hall where they can receive their visitors," Mr Aboagye said.
"It is our vision to change the face of housing for the homeless in the country with the aim of reducing poverty and creating jobs for them."
Giving an outline of the Itumeleng system, Mr Aboagye said: "You just walk into the Itumeleng Shelter after a hard day's work, purchase a ticket from the porter's lodge, sleep in a dormitory on a student size bed, wake up in the morning, use the toilet, shower and off to work." He stressed that it was time basic shelter became a must for all, irrespective of their income bracket.
Mr Aboagye said currently the company expected the service not to cost more than 5,000 cedis a day.
"Our commitment is to provide excellent affordable accommodation to the homeless and the poor."
He expressed regret that most of the homeless were not homeless because they did not have an income.
They are homeless because they cannot meet the cost of accommodation due to the advance payment system, which they did not have.
"This accounts for a great part in the increase in crime," he said. Mr Aboagye said the second phase of the project was a family hostel, made up of a chamber and hall as well as one room with toilet and shower.
