Cape Town: The Street People Programme Unit within the Community, Arts & Culture Development Department (CACD) is at the forefront of the City of Cape Town’s efforts to help persons off the street, as they facilitate access to services like shelter placements, medical assistance and even reintegration.
The draft budget for the new financial year includes increased funding for Safe Spaces and intervention programmes. Services by the City of Cape Town is offering people sleeping rough on the streets that includes a range of interventions such as the reintegration programmes and assistance in overcoming substance abuse.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham said that the City of Cape Town is serious about restoring the lives and dignity of those who find themselves on the street.
Higham also mentioned that each person who transitions off the street represents a restoration of dignity and hope. The commitment to sustainable solutions is reflected in the proposed budget for the coming year.
Since July 2024, the Street People Programme Unit facilitated 1053 shelter placements. In total, 22 families were reunited and 144 individuals received substance abuse treatment. Also, persons can be accommodated free of charge at a City-run Safe Space or at partner NGOs, which is a transitional shelter.
Once after reaching there, they can also have access to personal and skills development programmes and even to the short-term work opportunities.
Councillor Francine Higham further stated that, each person who helped to sustainably stay off the street is one step closer to reduce the number of vulnerable rough sleepers in Cape Town. However, it is a very delicate process and no one can be forced to accept the assistance. The interventions are aimed at restoring the dignity and hope to those who want to change their situations.
Moreover, the services by the unit includes raising awareness and advocacy, along with having access to the substance abuse programmes, access to EPWP opportunities, assistance in obtaining identity documents and referrals to health and mental health services where it was much needed.