The City of Cape Town’s Social Development Directorate is making aid to the value of R450 000 available to seven organisations that will be taking part in the winter readiness campaign for street people this year. Read more below:
The City’ s Social Development Directorate is providingR450 000 in aid to organisations, including the provision of an additional 115 bed spaces and 40 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) job opportunities.
‘The City’s EPWP aims to help facilitate and create employment opportunities for those residents who are in need of financial relief. At the same time, it facilitates the development of practical work experience and in this instance it will alleviate the load at night shelters,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith.
The City will disburse aid to seven organisations that have all successfully applied for assistance during winter. 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.
Every organisation that applied was subjected to a rigorous vetting process. They all have overnight facilities that comply with the relevant health and safety requirements. Each successful applicant also had to agree to a site inspection before final approval was granted.
A memorandum of agreement was signed between the City and the respective organisations this week to ensure that all parties comply with their roles and responsibilities.
‘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. We want to do what we can to help them provide street people with access to warm bedding, food, and toiletries as they cope with an increased demand when temperatures drop. 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 in the city’s homeless shelters.
‘They provide constant care to some of Cape Town’s most vulnerable residents,’ said Alderman JP Smith.
The organisations that received aid are:
| Elim Night Shelter | 47 Third Avenue, Elsies River |
| Happy Valley Home | Palace Hill Road, Simon’s Town |
| Mould, Empower, Serve | 3 Davis Street, Bellville |
| Oasis Reach for Your Dream | 28 Schaapkraal Road, Philippi |
| Somerset West Night Shelter | 71 Church Street, Somerset West |
| Tygerberg Association of Street People | 36 Charl Malan Street, Bellville |
| Ubuntu Circle of Courage | 16 Douglas Crescent, The Hague, Delft |
The City would also like to remind the public 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.
Do not give hand-outs directly to street people. Instead, you are encouraged to donate to organisations and shelters that assist street people.
Members of the public are encouraged to contact the City’s toll-free number on 0800 872 201 to find out how they can assist.