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City ramps up services at Safe Space for street people<span>​​​​​​<figure class="figure-credits left"><img class="responsive" alt="placeholder" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/safe%202.jpg" style="width:479px;" /><figcaption> <p> © City of Cape Town</p> </figcaption> </figure>The Safe Space pilot project has been open on a small scale for the past two weeks to test the intake system and site operation. The response from street people and other role players has been very positive.</span> <p>‘There are 15 street people who have been accommodated thus far and all have returned nightly since we opened. They have provided valuable feedback and we now have a list of street people who have expressed interest in being accommodated at the site once it is fully operational,’ said the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith.</p> <span> <figure class="figure-credits right"> <img class="responsive" alt="placeholder" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/safe%203.jpg" style="width:479px;" /> <figcaption> <p> © City of Cape Town</p> </figcaption> </figure> <p>The Safe Space is a transitional shelter which provides overnight shelter to up to 230 street people at a facility underneath the Culemborg Bridge on the Foreshore. </p> <p>‘Already many of those who have made use of the facility have indicated that they feel safe and are glad to be off the streets and receiving social assistance. Living on the street isn’t easy and neither is sleeping on the street. It’s cold, wet, uncomfortable and then there is the constant threat of having your meagre possessions stolen or of being attacked,’ said Alderman Smith.<br>At the Safe Space, street people can make use of basic services like ablutions, water and storage lockers, and from August they will also have access to health services and assistance to help them with any substance abuse issues.</p> <p>‘The space has only just opened and already there is a waiting list. We hope that street people will embrace the services offered, which in turn will lead them off the path of homelessness and eventually to becoming reintegrated into the community,’ said Alderman Smith.</p> <p>Street people using the facility are assigned a storage locker, a sleeping pallet, sleeping bag and blanket as well as a wellness pack containing hygiene essentials. </p> <p>‘External service providers are providing soup kitchens and cleaning services, while the site will have a dedicated Law Enforcement team for security. Another aim of the project is to take pressure off existing shelters,’ said Alderman JP Smith.<br>Alderman Smith also lauded partners, role-players and others who have stepped up to the plate.<br>‘It will take a collective effort to help people get off the street and become part of our society again. We’ve had some partners who have come on board in a big way,’ said Alderman Smith. </p> <span>​<figure class="figure-credits left"><img class="responsive" alt="placeholder" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/safe1.jpg" style="width:511px;" /><figcaption> <p>© City of Cape Town</p> </figcaption> </figure>FNB has donated sleeping bags, while the V&A Waterfront  has partnered to assist with job opportunities for some of the street people in the Expanded Public Works Programme and who have successfully completed development programmes.<br>The Cape Town Central City Improvement District has provided sleeping bags, wellness packs, assistance with identifying street people for the space and assistance with security patrols.</span></span> <p>It is not a permanent solution, but is aimed at providing temporary relief to street people.<br>‘We don’t want the homeless to see sleeping on the street as the best long-term choice open to them. By working to bring together all the services to work as one, and partnering with others, we can make a real difference to the lives of street people,’ said Alderman Smith.<br>Residents and organisations who would like to assist street people are encouraged not to give handouts, but instead to support the safe space.</p><p>The site can be contacted directly at <a href="mailto:streetpeoplesafespace@gmail.com" target="_blank">streetpeoplesafespace@gmail.com</a> or call <a>021 801 0140</a> or <a>021 801 0082</a>.</p><div>For information, watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJj08tquypA" target="_blank">Alderman JP Smith talk about the Safe Space​ project<i class="icon link-external"></i>​</a>​</div> <br> <strong>End</strong>​2018-07-17T22:00:00ZGP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891dGP0|#13dff606-5cfa-42c8-b9da-e6e516e6e771;L0|#013dff606-5cfa-42c8-b9da-e6e516e6e771|Street People;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#e8551c6e-d07b-410f-82d7-c7015c240416;L0|#0e8551c6e-d07b-410f-82d7-c7015c240416|Homeless;GP0|#d5e24fdf-fa32-4fe2-bb55-af7d2f43d90e;L0|#0d5e24fdf-fa32-4fe2-bb55-af7d2f43d90e|foreshore freeway precinct1

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