Bangka Park renovation begins amid concerns over relocation of homeless people

Taipei, June 19 (CNA) A year-long renovation of Taipei's Bangka Park began Thursday, as city workers fenced off the site and cleared out belongings left by homeless residents who had been living there.

Despite protests from displaced residents, a city official defended the government's relocation efforts, saying transitional housing had been offered.

The renovation of the park in Taipei's Wanhua District, near the popular Longshan Temple, began at 9 a.m. Thursday, as around 20 homeless individuals packed their belongings and left after being asked to move by city personnel.

Among them was a 90-year-old woman surnamed Wang (王), who told CNA in an interview last Thursday that she had no plans to move into a government-run shelter, saying, "It's less free in there."

"My friend told me not to go ... She said she ran away after staying for just a month," Wang said.

"Some of the women there had mental health problems and would yell or scream late at night," she added.

She said she opposed the renovation but felt homeless individuals "do not have the ability" to challenge the government's decision.

The renovation of Bangka Park is the first large-scale project since it opened in January 2005, said Wang Su-ya (王淑雅), head of the Parks and Street Lights Office's Youth Park Management Division.

Wang told CNA the renovation was triggered by the park's deteriorating facilities and community requests for improvements.

Chiu Ching-shung (邱慶雄), head of the Department of Social Welfare's Division of Social Work, said that as of Monday, about a dozen of the 59 registered homeless residents of Bangka Park have yet to be resettled.

Chiu said that those who decline help will likely move to Taipei Main Station or Ximending -- areas where homeless people often congregate.

Addressing concerns about transitional shelters, Chiu told CNA that they serve a greater purpose than just providing a place to stay by helping individuals reintegrate into society.

"We hope residents can change habits that contributed to their homelessness during their stay at transitional shelters," Chiu said.

"Transitional shelters aren't suitable for everyone," he said. "But we're open to suggestions, including making the rules more flexible."

Chiu said another option, temporary overnight centers, offers a short-term stay with "almost no rules" but only basic sleeping space, showers, laundry facilities and simple breakfasts.