The City of Cape Town has recorded more than 10,000 engagements with rough sleepers since July. The draft budget for the new financial year includes increased funding for Safe Spaces and intervention programmes.

Over 10,000 engagements with rough sleepers

The Street People Programme Unit within the Community, Arts & Culture Development Department (CACD) is at the forefront of the City’s efforts to help persons off the street – they facilitate access to services like shelter placements, medical assistance and even reintegration.

Reintegration programmes for rough sleepers

The City’s service offering for people sleeping rough on the streets includes a range of interventions such as reintegration programmes and assistance in overcoming substance abuse.

‘The City is serious about restoring the lives and dignity of those who find themselves on the street. Each person who transitions off the street represents a restoration of dignity and hope. Our commitment to sustainable solutions is reflected in our proposed budget for the coming year,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.

READ MORE: CITY TO CARE FOR STREET PEOPLE AT SINGLE SITE

The 2025/2026 budget includes a proposed R9,9 million for upgrading and expanding existing safe spaces and a proposed operations budget, which includes:

• R 47,5 million for the current four Safe Spaces’ operations, management and security costs
• R  1,7 million – for street people programmes, i.e. support programmes and winter readiness
• R  2,5 million – Overtime for street people after-hour interventions
• R  1,4 million – EPWP: street people economics project

READ MORE: City updating street people strategy

Since July 2024, the Street People Programme Unit has facilitated 1,053 shelter placements, 22 family reunions, and substance abuse treatment for 144 individuals.

Upgrading and expanding existing safe spaces

Persons can be accommodated free of charge at a City-run Safe Space or at partner NGOs, which is a transitional shelter. Once there, they also have access to personal and skills development programmes, and even short term work opportunities.

‘Each person who is helped to stay off the street is one step closer to reducing the number of vulnerable rough sleepers in Cape Town. However, it is a very delicate process, and no one can be forced to accept assistance. Our interventions are aimed at restoring dignity and hope to those who want to change their situation,’ added Councillor Higham.

The unit’s services include raising awareness and advocacy, access to substance abuse programmes, access to EPWP opportunities, assistance in obtaining identity documents and referrals to health and mental health services where needed.

ADDITIONAL READING: Rough sleepers in Cape Town

The City’s Safe Space model includes:

• Dignified shelter and ablution facilities
• Two nutritious meals daily
• On-site social work services
• Personal development planning
• Assistance with ID documents and social grants
• Family reunification services
• Substance abuse treatment access
• Skills training and job placement assistance
• EPWP work opportunities

To access services related to street people, please call 0800 872 201.

THIS MEDIA RELEASE WAS COMPILED BY THE TEAM IN THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN’S MEDIA OFFICE.