Care homes will face closure due to funds
Social grants have not been increased in five years
UNDREDS of mentally disabled people could soon find themselves on the streets. Many homes and institutions taking care of disabled people face closure as they run out of money, saying government grants are not sufficient.
The institutions claim they have not had grant increases from the Department of Social Development for more than five years and that donations from the Lotteries Board, which has helped many to survive, have dried up.
St Giles Association in Bruma, a home for paraplegics and quadriplegics, which takes care of about 48 people – most of whom have no family and no financial support – has three weeks of funding left before it will have to close its doors.
“We live on a day-to-day basis, never knowing if we are going to survive another month,” said manager Errol Caister.
The home, which opened 52 years ago, needs a high staff-toresident ratio as residents need a high level of care, being unable even to brush their own teeth.
“Only 20 percent of the cost of R9 500 per person, per month, is covered by grants. Until a few years ago, the Lotteries Board donations kept us alive, but the last call they made was in December 2012. They find money to throw at sport, but not at charitable organisations. Our constitu-
Htion says that the government is obliged to look after disabled people,” he said.
Little Eden, a home in Edenvale which looks after 300 profoundly mentally and physically handicapped, is also experiencing a funding crisis.
Chief executive Lucy Slaviero said lottery funding had not materialised. “These are uncertain times where Little Eden, which is the only home many of its residents will ever know, is being threatened. The jobs of 263 staff members are also at stake.”
The future of San Salvador Home for Mentally Disabled Women in Hyde Park is also looking bleak. Several non-paying residents have already been asked to leave, as there is no money to cover their expenses.
John Perks, chairman of the board, said they were operating in “survivor mode”. It costs R8 500 a month a resident.
The social grant which residents receive is R1 320 a month, which does not even cover the cost of salaries.
The Department of Social Development says it is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities receive the best possible services.
“Subsidies are increased annually, as and when required. In the 2013/14 financial year, the allocation was R78.3 million. However, by the end of the financial year, we had spent R78.5m due to increasing demands. In this financial year, the total allocation for the disability sector is R86m,” said spokesman Sello Mokoena.
In the past, the department has been able to assist some of the NGOs battling with funding.
“We are constantly reviewing our funding model in consultation with the sector,” he said, adding that if any homes were forced to close, the residents would be moved to alternative facilities. The Lotteries Board said no organisation should claim they were facing closure as a result of waiting for the outcome of the lotteries grant.
“No organisation is guaranteed a grant and should not place reliance on any one funder for their existence,” said Sershan Naidoo, Lotteries Board manager.