Cape Town allocates nearly R100m amount to support people sleeping rough on roads and expands shelter accommodation. The budget allocation included building projects for shelter accommodation to help people off the street and winter aid to NGO partners.
The amount of the budget R87 million is mainly for initiatives that support people sleeping rough in the street. This includes funding for operations at the four Safe Spaces established by the City of Cape Town since 2018, after-hours interventions, such as the annual Winter Readiness programme that provides services and support to NGO shelters, and short-term work opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
This funding allocation also includes the Street People Unit’s outreach interventions and prevention programmes to engage rough sleepers where they are. It ensures that they are aware of the support available to them.
Every engagement by the Street People Unit represents an opportunity to build trust, assess an individual’s needs and connect them with available support. Many people require multiple engagements before accepting assistance, making sustained outreach a critical component of the City’s homelessness response.
Last year, the Street People Programme Unit screened 10,127 people and conducted 22,843 follow-up visits. A total of 2,115 people secured shelter placements and other support, while 163 people were reunified with their families.
Furthermore R10,125 million has been budgeted in 2026-27 for work on five accommodation projects, which will be completed over the next three years:
- a new Safe Space in Kuils River
- the redevelopment of the Paint City Safe Space in Bellville
- an extension of homeless accommodation in Wynberg
- an extension of homeless accommodation in District Six
- an upgrade of the Oasis homeless shelter
The total investment on these infrastructure projects over three years will be R62 million. The City of Cape Town helps people off the streets through supporting shelter operations of NGOs and daily outreaches by its Street People Programme Unit.
The unit, along with the City walk-in centre in the Strand Street Concourse, provide services including:
- Assistance with ID documents and social grants
- Family reunification services
- Substance abuse treatment access
- Skills training and job placement assistance
Considering this, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham stated that homelessness is one of the most complex social challenges that the city is facing, and addressing it requires far more than emergency shelter.
According to her, this investment strengthens the people-centred approach of the City of Cape Town by expanding accommodation, supporting outreach teams and working alongside the NGO partners to connect vulnerable residents with shelter, healthcare, social services and opportunities to rebuild their lives. Every person who accepts assistance is a step towards lasting change, and they remain committed in ensuring that support is available to everyone who chooses to take that first step.
Cllr Higham added that their responsibility is to keep building on what works and to make sure that these resources translate into real opportunities for people to get off the street.