The City of Cape Town is reaching out to the public for input on its new draft strategy aimed at addressing rough sleeping and homelessness in the city.
This proposed strategy will replace the existing Street People Policy and aims to expand interventions and collaboration with various stakeholders to tackle this complex issue.
Despite welfare services falling under the jurisdiction of national and provincial governments, the City has been proactive in implementing initiatives to assist people living on the streets.
Since the introduction of the Street People Policy in 2013, the City has launched numerous programmes to support those sleeping rough, including access to social services, reintegration programs, personal development plans, short-term work opportunities and facilitating access to identity documents and social grants.
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The City has also provided financial support to the NGO sector through Grant-in-Aid funding and established Safe Space transitional shelters, offering over 800 bed spaces across four locations.
Councillor Patricia Van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, spoke on the importance of public input in shaping the new strategy.
‘Rough sleeping is a complex issue exacerbated by the pandemic and economic impacts. This draft strategy is an opportunity for everyone to contribute and help us develop a blueprint that addresses the underlying risks contributing to rough sleeping,’ she said.
The draft strategy aims to provide comprehensive guidance on assistance and interventions for people sleeping on the streets, in open spaces, vehicles, makeshift structures or temporary accommodations like shelters.
The public participation process will be open from 22 April to 22 May. Detailed information and opportunities to participate will be available on the City’s website.
Written comments can also be submitted via email to [email protected] during this period.
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Picture: Pieter van Noorden / Unsplash