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Efforts to uplift vulnerable communities and reduce urban inequality are gaining traction in George Town, Penang, where integrated support systems are helping people transition out of homelessness and rebuild their lives with dignity.
One such initiative is the Homeless Transit Centre (Pusat Transit Gelandangan, or PTG), established along Jalan C.Y. Choy in September 2023. PTG provides temporary shelter, daily meals, hygiene facilities, and coordinated social support to individuals facing housing insecurity; many of whom previously lived on the streets due to job loss, illness, or family breakdown. [1]
The PTG model emphasises dignity and inclusion. Residents are referred to as “clients,” and the clean, well-managed environment allows them to regain a sense of stability. Through collaboration with state agencies, NGOs, and private sector partners, many individuals have successfully transitioned into stable employment and independent living with some securing roles such as cleaning staff, delivery personnel, security officers, and warehouse coordinators.
As of June 2025, PTG had received 565 clients, with nearly 48% having successfully exited the facility primarily after securing jobs and affordable housing. This approach demonstrates how targeted interventions can reverse the cycle of homelessness and improve social mobility for vulnerable populations. [2]
Newly appointed State Welfare Department Director Rozita Ibrahim praised PTG’s amenities and highlighted it as a model for other states to emulate. She emphasised that the initiative reflects the National Homeless Policy 2020, which promotes holistic, long-term, and person-centred solutions rather than temporary aid. [3]
Urban homelessness, particularly in high-cost areas like George Town, often results from the inability to afford rent after a loss of income. Unlike rural communities where land and self-sustenance are more accessible, urban residents without support quickly fall into vulnerability. PTG serves as a crucial stopgap, offering both shelter and pathways to recovery.
State assemblyperson Lim Siew Khim noted that over 500 individuals have received support through PTG, and more than 200 have since re-entered the workforce and found housing. She acknowledged the vital role of 35 partnering companies and expressed hope that more private sector employers would step forward to offer job opportunities to PTG clients.
Such public-private partnerships are key to sustaining the success of programs like PTG. They also reflect the Penang State Government’s broader commitment to inclusive development, ensuring that social progress reaches even the most marginalised.
Ultimately, addressing homelessness requires more than just emergency assistance. It demands a whole-of-society approach that restores dignity, builds economic resilience, and reduces long-term inequality. With the right support structures in place, lives can be transformed, and communities can thrive.
Footnotes
- _______ (2025). Tuah teduh pusat transit gelandangan. Buletin Mutiara, 1-15 Ogos, 1-2. https://www.buletinmutiara.com/tuah-berteduh-di-pusat-transit-gelandangan-ramai-bersyukur-hidup-kembali-pulih-dan-bekerja/ ↩︎
- See Footnote 1. ↩︎
- See Footnote 1. ↩︎
- _________ (2025). From homelessness to hope: Penang’s transit centre changes lives. Buletin Mutiara. https://www.buletinmutiara.com/from-homelessness-to-hope-penangs-transit-centre-changes-lives/