City’s plans to ease burden

THERE are more than 4000 homeless people in Durban – and the number is rising.

eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the City was acting decisively to tackle the issue, adding a multisectoral task team was formed last year to deal with homelessness.

The team comprised City officials and 13 elected representatives from various spheres, including non-government and community-based organisations.

The chairperson, he said, was Raymond Perrier, the director of the Denis Hurley Centre.

One of the proposals was to provide a secure open space where the homeless would be guaranteed a safe night’s sleep.

Others include providing a subsidised shelter for women and children, setting minimum standards for shelters, and providing a venue where personal possessions could be stored.

Acting mayor Fawzia Peer said drug and crime units were set up within the metro police as drugs and homelessness were often intrinsically linked.

Gail Elson, the spokesperson for I Care, a non-governmental organisation that aims to transform the lives of street children, said the hot spots included the beachfront, Mahatma Gandhi (Point) Road, and the inner city.

She said drugs and poverty were the main causes of homelessness.

“Another is people coming to the city looking for jobs and a better life. When this does not happen, they are left destitute and live on the streets.”

Providing handouts and money, said Elson, encouraged them to remain on the streets.

“Rather help them by offering shelters, rehabilitation, reunification or skills training.”