Alderman James Vos, a mayoral committee member for economic growth, visited the City-funded CBD Regeneration Project this week. The CBD Regeneration Project has recruited hundreds of homeless Capetonians who have been upskilled and employed in communities across Cape Town.
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The Enterprise and Investment Department of the Economic Growth Directorate and NPO Khulisa Solutions are in charge of and funding the project. Alderman Vos visited the Streetscapes urban garden, the CCID clean-up project, the U-Turn Charity Shop, as well as the Souper Troopers Humanity Hub in Woodstock.
‘By placing the emphasis of this outreach on sustainable livelihoods and providing the first step on the job readiness and employment opportunity ladder, we can make a difference in people’s lives and within our communities,’ said Alderman Vos. ‘Even now, many of the people being assisted through this project have found jobs and are living in transitional housing or with their families.’
The Directorate took over management of the programme after the National Treasury Presidential Employment Programme (PEP Project), which assisted hundreds of homeless people in Cape Town, ended in July 2022. The City stepped in through the Economic Growth Directorate to provide bridging funding, allowing the project to continue for another two months.
Participants in the project have found work in areas throughout the city cleaning, maintaining parks, running community gardens and recycling. Businesses and residents in Green Point, Vredehoek, Woodstock and Parow have also agreed to collaborate with the project participants.
‘The success of the project is largely because it works on long-term solutions for people at this very difficult time in their lives. The developmental part of the programme provides participants with an opportunity to move off the streets, access the necessary rehabilitation and health services and learn work readiness skills,’ explained Alderman Vos.
He added, ‘Within this framework, project participants have been registered on Jobs Connect, the City’s workforce development platform that connects job seekers with employment opportunities in the areas of their choosing.’
Councillor Patricia van der Ross, a mayoral committee member for community services and health, added that assisting homeless people in finding a better life is a priority for the City.
‘The funds allocated to this programme offer a lifeline to so many people who find themselves living on the streets. It not only offers a pathway towards sustainable livelihoods, but the project also provides people with a sense of renewed purpose. We are grateful to the NPOs for partnering with us to build a city of hope,’ said Councillor Van Der Ross.
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Picture: City of Cape Town