Article re-cap
- The City of Cape Town is strengthening efforts to prevent homelessness by supporting individuals before they end up living on the streets.
- Key areas identified for intervention include correctional facilities, hospitals, and child and youth care centres.
- The City of Cape Town plans to develop a new data management system to help shape policy and improve collaboration.
- The City response to rough sleeping includes safe space accommodation and partnerships with NGOs to expand support services.
The City of Cape Town is strengthening efforts to prevent homelessness by supporting individuals before they end up living on the streets.
Megan Pangeni, head of the City's Street People Programme, said following the Global Homeless Vanguard Cities Network summit in London that homelessness is not inevitable. She stated that more can be done to prevent people from becoming homeless.
The City plans to address pathways into homelessness by working with institutions where individuals struggle to reintegrate into society. Pangeni identified correctional facilities, hospitals, and child and youth care centres as key areas requiring more support.
Pangeni noted that some people released from prison end up on the streets of Cape Town, while hospitals sometimes contact the City because patients facing discharge have nowhere to go. The City aims to ensure those leaving these facilities have a place to stay and can reconnect with families.
The City has started discussions with several government departments to improve support. Meetings have been held with the Department of Social Development and the Department of Health and Wellness, and the City also intends to work with the Department of Correctional Services.
The approach includes developing a new data management system to help shape policy and improve collaboration. Pangeni explained that the City's response to rough sleeping includes safe space accommodation and partnerships with NGOs to expand support services.
Frequently asked questions
What facilities does the City of Cape Town identify as key sources of homelessness?
The City identifies correctional facilities, hospitals, and child and youth care centres as key areas where people struggle to reintegrate into society and may end up homeless after leaving these institutions.
How is the City of Cape Town working to prevent people from becoming homeless?
The City is addressing pathways into homelessness by working with institutions to ensure people leaving facilities like prisons and hospitals have accommodation and can reconnect with families. The City is also developing a new data management system to improve policy and collaboration.
Which government departments is the City working with on homelessness prevention?
The City has started discussions with the Department of Social Development, the Department of Health and Wellness, and intends to work with the Department of Correctional Services to improve support for people at risk of homelessness.
What specific support does the City of Cape Town offer to homeless individuals?
The City provides safe space accommodation and works with NGO partners to expand support services. The goal is to ensure people leaving institutions have a place to stay and access to services that help them reintegrate into society.
Source: ewn.co.za
