The upgraded Cape Town Safe Space will help more people off the streets. This comes as the City of Cape Town has completed a R7.7 million upgrade to its Culemborg Safe Space 1 facility. This significantly improves shelter and support services for people living on the streets in the Cape Town CBD.
The R7,7m upgrade to Safe Space 1 includes:
· Dormitory-style sleeping quarters and ablution facilities
· A designated training area
· Covered dining area with washing facilities
· Dedicated washing line area and enclosed refuse room
The upgraded Cape Town Safe Space will help more people off the streets
The upgraded site, the City’s first Safe Space, launched in 2018, now offers proper dormitory-style accommodation. It replaces basic shelter infrastructure and mobile ablution facilities. The improvements are aimed at restoring dignity, safety, and stability for vulnerable residents seeking to exit street life. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis visited the revamped facility this week, saying the upgrades form part of the City’s broader effort to expand social services and reduce rough sleeping across the metro.
Revamped facility
A key new feature is a 16-bed Sober Space pilot operating next door at Safe Space 2. Run in partnership with Streetscapes and the Cape Town Central City Improvement District, the initiative helps safely manage situations where residents return to shelters while intoxicated. This strengthens care while maintaining accountability.
The City’s Safe Space model includes:
• dignified shelter
• comfort and ablutions
• two meals per day
• access to a social worker on-site
• skills training
• help finding a job
• access to EPWP work placement
• personal development planning
• various social services, including ID book and social grant assistance
• family reunification services
• access to substance and alcohol abuse treatment
A 16-bed Sober Space pilot operating next door at Safe Space 2
Cape Town remains the only metro in South Africa with a fully funded social services programme dedicated to helping people off the streets. The City plans to expand shelter capacity from 1 400 to more than 2 200 beds over the next three years, across City-run Safe Spaces and NGO-supported night shelters. The City is also expanding support for Haven Night Shelter facilities and runs the Matrix substance abuse treatment programme, which reports an 83% success rate.
A walk-in centre on the Strand Street concourse
In addition, a City walk-in centre on Strand Street in the CBD is being upgraded at a cost of over R400 000 to improve access to social assistance and referrals for people seeking help.
A walk-in centre on the Strand Street concourse in the Cape Town CBD has also opened. This offers a number of services to help people off the streets. The centre is open from 06:30 to 16:00, from Monday to Friday. The Mayor says this walk-in centre is currently undergoing a number of upgrades to the value of just over R400 000 to ensure a welcoming space for social assistance to clients. He says the upgrades include improvements to the boardroom, reception area, client waiting area and guest area.
