| Safe Spaces | <span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">About</h2></span>
<p>Safe Spaces were established to address the shortage of shelter space and help those who no longer want to live on the street. The City currently has five Safe Spaces, which provide overnight accommodation, access to ablution facilities and secure storage facilities for personal belongings.</p><h4>Each person who makes use of a Safe Space is assigned a:</h4><ul><li>storage locker; </li><li>bunk bed/sleeping pallet; <br></li><li>sleeping bag and blanket; </li><li>wellness pack containing hygiene essentials; and<br></li><li>refreshment pack containing, sugar, milk, coffee and tea.<br></li></ul><p>The sites also have a dedicated
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Law%20Enforcement%2c%20Traffic%20and%20Coordination%20Department">Law Enforcement</a> team to provide 24-hour security.</p>
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<p>Storage lockers at the Culemborg Safe Space.</p> </figcaption> </figure>
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<p>Safe Spaces offer medical assessments, HIV testing and support with substance abuse rehabilitation</p> </figcaption> </figure>
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<p>World Homeless Day draws attention to the needs of street people and provides opportunities for communities to get involved in responding to homelessness.</p> </figcaption> </figure><figure class="itemSlide slide-left slide-4">
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<p>Opening of the 300-bed Safe Space on Ebenezer Road in Green Point.<br></p> </figcaption> </figure> </div><div class="image-gallery-control"><div class="image-gallery-caption"></div><div class="image-gallery-nav"><div class="nav-info">1 of 4<br></div><div class="slide-next">
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<h2 class="sectHeading">Find a Safe Space</h2></span>
<h4>The Safe Spaces are:<br></h4>
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<div class="mobile-scroll"><table style="width:502px;"><thead><tr><th style="width:195px;">Facility<br></th><th>Location<br></th><th style="width:113px;">Bed space<br></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width:195px;">
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/general/culemborg-safe-spaces">Culemborg Safe Space and Extension Site</a> <br></td><td>Culemborg Bridge, Cape Town CBD<br></td><td style="width:113px;">510 beds<br></td></tr><tr><td style="width:195px;">Durbanville Safe Space<br></td><td>Public Transport Interchange, Durbanville<br></td><td style="width:113px;">40 beds<br></td></tr><tr><td style="width:195px;">Green Point Safe Space<br></td><td>Municipal Depot, Ebenezer Road, Green Point<br></td><td style="width:113px;">300 beds<br></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="1" style="width:195px;">Paint City Safe Space<br></td><td rowspan="1">Robert Sobukwe Rd, Bellville<br></td><td rowspan="1" style="width:113px;">220 beds<br></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span><span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Benefits</h2></span>
<p>The use of a Safe Space is entirely voluntary, and the benefits for rough sleepers include:</p><ul><li>access to on-site social workers;<br></li><li>a secure and safe area to sleep;</li><li>a drug-free/alcohol-free/weapon-free space;</li><li>clean water and ablution facilities;</li><li>storage facilities to keep their possessions safe; and<br></li><li>two meals per day.</li></ul>
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<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Did you know?</h4><p>We partner with organisations to bring their services (clothing donations, pop-up kitchens, etc.) to Safe Spaces.</p></div></div></span><span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Services</h2></span>
<h4>Rough sleepers who make use of a Safe Space can access the following:</h4><ul><li>Assistance with obtaining identity documents and social grants;</li><li>Assistance with personal development plans;</li><li>Donated food and clothing;</li><li>Medical assessments, HIV testing and support with substance abuse rehabilitation;</li><li>Referral to specialist social services, if required;</li><li>Relocation to place of origin;</li><li>Reintegration into society;</li><li>Reunification with family members;</li><li>Short-term job opportunities through the
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/jobs-and-skills-development/youth-careers/find-an-opportunity-with-epwp">Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)</a>.</li></ul><h4>Safe Space clients are also able to access training and development opportunities such as:</h4><ul><li>art and trauma therapy; </li><li>computer skills; </li><li>entrepreneurship programmes; </li><li>family strengthening programmes;</li><li>youth skills development (over 18s only). </li></ul><div class="responsive-media">
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<h2 class="sectHeading">How many people live on Cape Town's streets?</h2></span>
<p>According to the
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/education-and-research-materials/data-statistics-and-research/cape-town-census">census 2022 report</a>, we have over 6 600 people sleeping rough on our streets.
<br></p><p>These statistics help us determine how to improve social development interventions for rough sleepers. </p>
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<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>PLEASE NOTE</h4><p>Safe Spaces do not accommodate children (under 18s). For more information on the welfare of street children, contact the
<a href="https://www.westerncape.gov.za/" target="_blank">Western Cape Government</a> Department of Social Development. </p></div></div></span>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">Street People Policy</h2></span>
<p>Since adopting the
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Street%20People%20-%20%28Policy%20number%2012398B%29%20approved%20on%2004%20December%202013.pdf" target="_blank">Street People Policy in 2013</a>, we have introduced measures to assist rough sleepers, including:</p><ul><li>arranging temporary work opportunities for street people living in shelters;</li><li>helping to reunite street people with their families;</li><li>providing access to shelters and social services;</li><li>providing assistance to shelters during winter so they can cope with the influx of street people.<br></li></ul>
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<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>strategy to address rough sleeping<br></h4><p>We are in the process of developing a strategy to address rough sleeping. Once approved, the strategy will replace the exisiting Street People Policy.</p></div></div></span><span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Street People Unit</h2></span>
<p>Safe Spaces add to the services and opportunities that our Street People Unit has been offering to people living on the streets for years.</p><p>Our field and reintegration officers spend their days moving through areas in the city that are most frequented by rough sleepers. </p><p>We interact with individuals, make them aware of the services at their disposal and help those who choose to access the services (mentioned above).</p><p>The services are entirely voluntary, as it is not a crime to be a street person and no one can be forced into accepting help.</p>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">How you can help</h2></span>
<p>We have, and will continue to work with residents to find lasting solutions. We also welcome assistance from concerned residents and non-governmental organisations to support the rough sleeper community by bringing their services and donations to Safe Spaces. </p><p>Thanks to the collective efforts of many individuals, private enterprises, corporates and non-governmental organisations, Safe Spaces have been able to offer:<br></p><ul><li>clothing;</li><li>food supplies;</li><li>funding for IDs;</li><li>funeral policies;</li><li>hair grooming;</li><li>skills training;<br></li><li>temporary and permanent job opportunities;</li><li>toiletries.</li></ul>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">Contact us</h2></span>
<p>If you would like to offer your donations and services to a Safe Space, contact:<br></p><h4>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Community%2c%20Arts%20and%20Culture%20Development">Community, Arts and Culture Development Department</a> </h4><p>
<em>Email:
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<a href="mailto:communityartsandculturedevelopment@capetown.gov.za">communityartsandculturedevelopment@capetown.gov.za</a></em></p> | | GP0|#dad56599-f827-4c6b-ba7d-89bb90ed46d6;L0|#0dad56599-f827-4c6b-ba7d-89bb90ed46d6|Safe Spaces;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#bf2075b6-81ed-4492-8b39-a1782a31cb01;GPP|#36dcb5fe-6bfc-4ae9-92d7-8bd08d1f6414;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Safe Spaces are overnight facilities where rough sleepers can access services to help them get off the street. | 0 |
