HOMELESSNESS: COMMUNITIES WILL HAVE TO TAKE CHARGE
DON’T be charitable for selfish reasons. And remember, giving should never be conditional. Giving and sharing equates to loving, not controlling.
I have over the past two weeks focused on defining homelessness, and explained that the homeless community is not a homogeneous group and thus needs to also be addressed in terms of their individual needs and aspirations.
The lady’s challenge is that in spite of being someone who has empathy for the homeless and drug addicts, she is repulsed by how some act and she feels it is unfair that she should support them in any way when there are so many others working hard to keep their head above water.
I also emphasised that communities are going to have to take charge of addressing chronic homelessness and to do so will have to work on inclusivity and ensure people living on the street are rewarded with a sense of belonging if they decide to leave the streets and start working towards becoming the best version of themselves.
This week, I am looking at, and suggesting different options that the public can support and know they are making a positive contribution to uplifting and empowering those living on the streets:
1. Support organisations and individuals whose work promotes a full ladder of accommodation options for those living on the streets.
2. Support organisations, individuals and programmes that offer independent living spaces as well as supportive transitional accommodation for those living on the streets.
3. Support long-term/permanent accommodation where those living on the streets have agency and support to access programmes that they choose to join on their journey to becoming whole again.
4. Support upliftment and empowerment programmes that promote entrepreneurship and employment which is constant and permanent.
5. Support the establishment of homeless hubs in your community.
6. Support individuals and organisations trying to get people accommodated and employed with dignity.
7. Support homeless people directly where you feel comfortable doing so while the City and provincial governments promote campaigns such as Give Responsibly and Give Dignity, which are exclusively benefiting the current temporary and emergency shelters which in total accommodate 3 000 individuals, while about 15 000 to 20 000 people are living on the streets of Cape Town.
8. Support independent service providers that are consistent and reliable, such as Venetia Orgill, Service Dining Rooms, MES, Sheltersuit SA, Rea Thusana, Hope House, Project Hope, Ubuntu, Elim Night Shelter, Rainbow House, The Pride Shelter, CM Homeless Consultant & Homeless Solutions, CCID, VRCID, OBSID, Obs
Pasta Kitchen and Women’s Shelter Network.
9. You can also contribute by asking your ward councillor to support permanent solutions rather than only temporary and emergency solutions for people living on the streets. Speak to your friends, your neighbours, your colleagues and your family about this important issue. Share the information you have to assist us in changing public perceptions of people living on the streets and their needs and aspirations.
It is only through enlightening people and showing them the reality of the situation that we will bring about change.
It is possible to end chronic homelessness, and Cape Town has the opportunity to lead the way, but it requires a change from a reactive policy such as the one currently in place to one where prevention and productivity become priorities.
And remember homelessness is a state and not a trait, but for us to successfully deal with this issue, communities have to become inclusive and supportive and not exclusive and alienating.
Being. Becoming. Belonging. That is the theory when we look at ending chronic homelessness.
Thank you again to the lady who put this important question to me.