Social activist Kuan Chee Heng who started the centre said it had so far ushered in almost 100 people through its doors, including those who travelled from far to visit their relatives in nearby hospitals.

“We receive people to stay here every day, with families of different sizes,” he said.

“We have seen a family who were victims of a fire and students who came for short courses to the city,” he added.

Kuan, who is president of the Community Oriented Policing Strategies (COPS), a group he established some years ago to do community work, opened the home with the intention of helping the poor.

Equipped with television, free Wi-Fi service, kitchen, refrigerator and four bedrooms, it can accommodate about nine people at any one time.

Earlier this year, he also launched a 10 sen ambulance service and 10 sen library.

The ambulance was for poor people who were bedridden and could not afford to pay for a private ambulance to go to hospital, while the library was for children.

Kuan said in addition to the two houses at Taman Puchong Perdana that are being used now for the transit home, there are plans to set up other similar centres in Cheras and Kuala Lumpur if the financial situation permits.

He said the home’s volunteers received help from businessman Paul Lim in bearing the cost for the house rentals and related bills.

They also received help from the public who donated household appliances and food supplies for the lodgers.

The 53-year-old said helping the needy gave him satisfaction. “I am happy with the warm feedback that I receive from those who stay here,” Kuan said.

He added that it was not difficult making the effort to run the home as it was part of serving people. “We who are capable should help the needy,” he said.

Kuan’s latest way to help the poor – a RM1 ‘hotel’ in Puchong