City of Cape Town Helps Street People Come in from the Cold

The City of Cape Town is making aid worth almost half a million available to seven organisations that will be taking part in the winter readiness campaign for street people this year.

The City’ s Social Development Directorate is providing the R450,000 financial aid to approved organisations, including the provision of an additional 115 bed spaces and 40 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) job opportunities.

The aid consists of food, blankets, mattresses, toiletries and cleaning materials to help cater for an expected increase in the number of street people seeking shelter during the cold winter months.

The City’s Social Services Member Alderman JP Smith said the EPWP aims to create job opportunities for those who need financial relief, facilitate work experience… and in so doing alleviate the load at night shelters.

The organisations receiving aid are Elim Night Shelter, Happy Valley Home, Mould, Empower, Serve, Oasis Reach for Your Dream, Somerset West Night Shelter, Tygerberg Association of Street People and Ubuntu Circle of Courage.

They all have overnight facilities that comply with the relevant health and safety requirements.

‘Winter is an especially hard time for people living on the street and often there is an additional burden on the organisations that assist them… Homeless shelters are essential in ensuring that street people are properly cared for in a safe environment.

‘Although this is just a fraction of what is needed, it’s an example of how the City works with external parties to make a difference in people’s lives.

‘This is in line with the Organisational Development and Transformation Plan which focuses on building integrated communities through partnering with non-governmental organisations and businesses,’ said Alderman Smith.

He commended the many workers and volunteers who give of their time to the city’s homeless shelters.

The City is also reminding locals of its Give Responsibly Campaign which encourages residents who would like to help, to do so responsibly in order to assist street people in the long term.

The public is urged to NOT give hand-outs directly to street people. Instead, you are encouraged to donate to organisations and shelters that assist street people.

If you’d like to help – please call the City of Cape Town’s toll-free number on 0800 872 201