Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando Calls Out Sliema Residents For Opposing Youth Homeless Shelter In Their Backyard
National Skills Council chairman and former PN MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando has come out strongly against a group of Sliema residents who are opposing plans to convert an old townhouse in George Borg Olivier Street into a shelter for homeless youths.
Pullicino Orlando said that the residents’ ‘NIMBY’ attitude ultimately stems out of concern that the values of their properties could sink.
“They don’t care whether these poor souls are housed elsewhere, just so long as it isn’t behind their front door in case the value of their properties sinks,” he said.
“As usual, they are inventing fantastical stories to cast a dark shadow on the integrity of the people involved in this admirable act. Without a doubt, many of these will be at the front of the queue to receive the Eucharist on Sunday.”
The homeless shelter project, which could house up to 15 youths, is being fronted by Fr Marcellino Micallef, one of Malta’s leading humanitarians and the founder of the Valletta Soup Kitchen Foundation.
It will mainly target orphans who are effectively rendered homeless once they turn 16 and are forced to leave their orphanages.
Residents who spoke to The Shift anonymously claimed the shelter is nothing but a sneaky smokescreen designed by a businessman who ultimately intends to convert the building into a guesthouse, but this suggestion has been shot down by the Foundation.
Cover photo: Left: Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Right: Fr Marcellino Micallef
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