Cape Town’s Department of Social Development (DSD) finds itself at a crossroads as it contemplates alternative options for a homeless shelter. This decision follows an extensive period of public engagement, petitions and protests initiated by concerned citizens.
Originally, the shelter was slated for the Old Tafelberg Crèche, formerly known as the Silvertree Club House and Crèche in District Six.
Also read: Western Cape government to decide on homeless shelter in District Six
As per the Cape Argus, Esther Lewis, spokesperson for the DSD, clarified, ‘The process has not yet been finalised. However, the department is considering alternative options following feedback received during the public participation process.’
The public consultation window for the proposed Hope Exchange Shelter for homeless adults spanned from 14 June to 14 July. While the DSD reported receiving 28 submissions, both in favour of and against the shelter’s development, local residents dispute this figure.
According to them, over 1 500 objections were collected and submitted against the proposed project. These residents, organised by the District Six Civic Association, District Six Advocacy Group, Silvertree RFC and the Upper District Six Neighbourhood Watch, rallied under the banner of the ‘Reclaim Silvertree’ petition.
Initially, the Robbie Nurock Day Hospital on Buitenkant Street was considered a potential shelter location. However, this option was abandoned due to the discovery of asbestos on the premises. The DSD has since identified this site as a potential location for the Cape Town Museum, pending the availability of funds for necessary renovations.
The former Tafelberg Crèche site was then proposed as a suitable alternative due to the high concentration of homeless individuals in the vicinity. However, residents gathered at the site on Heritage Day to emphasise its historical and cultural significance. They advocated for repurposing 20 Christiaan Street into a multi-purpose recreational centre, citing the existence of other homeless shelters in the area.
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Riedewaan Williams, an executive member of the Silvertree Rugby Football Club and the District Six Steering Committee to Reclaim Silvertree, raised concerns, stating, ‘What is to be seriously questioned is the outcry and objections from the people of Gardens, which is predominantly a white affluent area, where Robbie Nurock was earmarked, and was for the actual purpose of this very shelter idea, yet was quickly aborted due to asbestos issues and a greater push-back by white businesses.’
He continued, ‘The Western Cape government then decided to move the location to District Six and use District Six as a dumping ground for the very unfortunate homeless people. Is there no asbestos in all old buildings, including the Tafelberg crèche? Our District Six community needs answers and once again is not taken seriously because nothing is forthcoming from the Western Cape government.’
Objections voiced by residents and concerned parties revolve around the potential impact on residents’ safety and school-going children, fears of area degradation leading to falling property values and concerns that the shelter might lead to a concentration of homeless individuals given the presence of other shelters nearby.
Additional objections relate to the historical significance of the site, the prioritisation of homeless individuals over the interests of land claimants and its misalignment with existing socio-economic uses and area development plans.
The estimated cost of the project stands at R18.9 million, with expectations of completion during the 2024/25 fiscal year. The proposed shelter is designed to accommodate approximately 116 homeless adults.
The Department of Social Development continues to evaluate alternative options, taking into account the diverse concerns and feedback from the community.
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Picture: District Six / Facebook