Structured pathway needed to help homeless achieve self-sufficiency: Activist

Hartini Zainudin, founder of Yayasan Chow Kit, has advocated for a structured pathway to help homeless individuals transition toward financial stability and self-reliance. The proposal centres on establishing a matching savings scheme designed to provide vulnerable populations with the tools and incentives needed to secure permanent housing and achieve economic independence.

The matching savings initiative would require homeless participants to save a portion of income earned, with the government or private sector matching their contributions. This dual-contribution approach aims to accelerate savings accumulation while encouraging financial discipline and personal accountability among beneficiaries.

According to Hartini, the scheme addresses a critical gap in Malaysia's current social safety net by moving beyond short-term assistance toward sustainable long-term solutions. The framework would combine savings incentives with access to affordable housing options and employment support services, creating a comprehensive pathway out of homelessness.

The proposal reflects growing recognition among social welfare advocates that homeless populations require structured programmes combining financial mechanisms with housing security and livelihood support. If implemented, the matching savings scheme could serve as a model for other organisations working to address homelessness in Malaysia and the wider region.