How effective are the current initiatives in dealing with homelessness in Malaysia? / Nor Amalina Mohd Adib, Zaliha Hj. Hussin and Yarina Ahmad

Homelessness is a social issue that has become a concern in many countries including Malaysia. Homelessness can be regarded as a complex issue that has a connection with other social problems such as drug distribution, human trafficking, prostitution and many others. It is observed in some countries are facing the growing number of the homeless population. The rising number of the homeless population in Malaysia ponders more questions to the problem, as well as to the initiatives undertaken by the relevant agencies in combatting with this issue effectively. The objective of this paper is to identify how effective are the current initiatives in dealing with homelessness in Malaysia; are there more towards short term or either long term or it can be both. This paper reviews relevant literatures pertaining to initiatives in dealing with homelessness in Malaysia through preliminary reports, interviews and observation that have been written by several articles. This paper concludes that the existing initiatives undertaken by relevant parties, including the government, NGOs and individual level are more towards short term efforts. In order to effectively deal with homelessness, Malaysia should have comprehensive policies, laws and implement longer term initiatives such as in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.