Tips to address homelessness

I WOULD like to congratulate Zandile Gumede on her appointment. With regard to promises 2, 15, 16, 19, 23, 37 and 38 I have suggestions. I would also like to set up a meeting with her regarding street people. Suggestions:

1.a. Owing to the influx of people from other areas since 1994, accommodation in cities and towns is in short supply and expensive. The poor are forced to live on the streets. The city should look at empty buildings in the Durban area, set them aside for residential use, upgrade and renovate them into small rooms with a shower, toilet and handbasin and kitchenette. They could rent them out at a subsidised rental for pensioners and disabled people. Strict control should be kept regard- ing numbers. There are, I believe, about 15 buildings available which could be used in this way.

1.b. Shelters have become the cheapest accommodation available to the poor. There are about 26 in the Durban area. I would like to make the following suggestions:

i. All shelters be registered under a central body with regular checks by the Health Department (monthly) and the SAPS (weekly).

ii. Each shelter must have a social worker and shelter owners must be responsible people with a heart for the people and not just see money.

2. Employment is urgently needed by many on the streets and they can even be employed to help renovate the accommodation mentioned above.

3. ID books/smart cards. These are being stolen from locals by foreigners, making it difficult to get jobs.

4. Mentally ill people need to be taken care of and not released from hospitals unless they have somewhere to live.

I hope that these suggestions could be helpful. CHARMAINE DANGERS

Durban