Green light for homeless shelter
George Council took its first step towards providing a shelter for the homeless at a meeting last Wednesday 27 September. Approval was granted for the lease of a portion of land in Stasie Street next to the George Railway Station, to the local Christian based organisation Cremhog, for the purpose of building a shelter for the homeless. The property will be leased at a nominal rate of R20 per year, for just under ten years.
Cremhog is a non-profit community based organisation that has initiated processes and facilitated programmes with the goal of assisting homeless people through a holistic approach. The portion of land earmarked for the development of a shelter is currently unused and forms part of
It is no use that we say it’s not our problem or turn a blind eye on what is happening in the city centre.
the Market Street road reserve. The building of such a shelter will cost an estimated amount of R820 000 and would be able to accommodate about 70 people. It will include sleeping quarters with sanitary facilities and a kitchen.
The problem with people living on the streets of George was highlighted in Mayor Melvin Naik’s address to council. “I am aware that our social service section has done a lot and continues to serve in this regard. Still, we are faced with a huge challenge - to counter the effect of people living on the street,” said Naik. “It is no use that we say it’s not our problem or turn a blind eye on what is happening in the city centre. We will have to take hands to fight this evil. “
Naik said people’s lives and the city’s safety are being compromised by homeless people living on the streets. “Our public open spaces have become unsafe and the welfare of society is at stake. Drug dealers are invading our city centre and prey on the vulnerable.” He called on the police and other law enforcement agencies to assist in this regard. “As a city we will commit ourselves to support any initiative to deal rapidly with this problem.” Naik asked the Municipal Manager, Trevor Botha, to speed up council’s decision to assist Cremhog in supplying a shelter for the homeless.