Additional beds spaces for homeless citizens | Western Cape Government

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Additional beds spaces for homeless citizens

23 March 2021

Today, Tuesday 23 March 2021, the Western Cape Minister for Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, conducted an oversight visit to the OWL Haven Shelter, a provincial Department of Social Development (DSD) funded shelter for homeless citizens situated in the Lansdowne area in Cape Town.

Today’s visit comes at a time when the provincial DSD plans to fund an additional 1000 bed spaces for several homeless shelters across the Province. 

The provision of 1000 bed spaces for the 2021/2022 financial year, is over and above the 1499 bed spaces, which the Department already funds across 27 Shelters.

“We are cognizant of the crucial role that these shelters play in ensuring that this vulnerable grouping is treated with respect and dignity and having all their basics needs met. To this end, we will keep working with our NPO partners to improve the services delivered to those individuals residing in homeless shelters.

I am also pleased to note that half of the additional bed spaces being funded will go to homeless shelters that are situated outside of Cape Town Metropolitan areas, to assist those homeless citizens who require accommodation and psychosocial support, and are residing in rural areas,” said Minister Fernandez.  

Why are people homeless?

There are many factors why people become homeless and some of these factors are directly linked to why they remain homeless. Someone may become homeless because of:

  • Unemployment
  • Poverty
  • Domestic violence/abuse
  • No access to affordable housing/accommodation
  • Poor physical and/or mental health
  • Drug and alcohol abuse
  • Physical and/or sexual abuse
  • A breakdown in family and other relationships
  • Gambling

How is government assisting the homeless?

A guideline has been developed for managing homelessness during the Covid-19 pandemic, in line with the State of Disaster Protocols and has been shared with all related departments and municipalities. 

It was agreed to at the Disaster Management Provincial Joint Operations Centre that municipalities are responsible for homeless people that are not in shelters, and for providing alternative accommodation – such as community halls, etc. – to house them. This is the standard procedure during large scale disasters (flooding, fires, xenophobic violence, etc.) 

Where needed, the provincial DSD  will assist these municipalities’ interventions as it relates to food security.

DSD assists the homeless by fully or partially funding NPOs that work directly to get people off the streets and empower them with skills-training, uniting them back with their families and integrating them into our communities.

The provincial DSD prioritises the homeless by providing R35 million to 27 shelters, which will now be providing 2499 beds each day.

The shelters also render social work services aimed at reunifying homeless adults with their families.

How can I help?

If you would like to assist someone living on the street, you can help them in the following ways:

  • Refer them to their nearest shelters for adults or children under 18
  • Contact the Department of Social Development (DSD) hotline on 0800 220 250 to find out how to donate to registered Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) and shelters that render services to people living on the streets. 

For more information about our other services, please refer to the Western Cape Department’s Website below:

https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/social-development

Media Enquiries: 

Joshua Covenant Chigome

Spokesperson for the Minister of Social Development, Minister Sharna Fernandez

Tel: 021 483 9217

Cell: 083 661 4949

Email: Joshua.chigome@westerncape.gov.za­