| Rough sleepers in Cape Town | Rough sleepers in Cape Town | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/SafeSpaceHeader.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <div class="ExternalClass3ED71CC4D60645618BF4D4443BE58F1C"><p>Throughout the world, people migrate to the streets for a number of reasons including unemployment, domestic problems, substance abuse, etc. </p></div> | <span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">About</h2></span>
<p>In Cape Town, we have over 6 600 people sleeping rough on our streets, 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>. <br></p>
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<i class="info caring"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>Did you know?</h4><p>
<b>A Caring City:</b> Members of our Rough Sleepers Programme Unit make their way through areas that are most frequented by rough sleepers. They interact with individuals, make them aware of the services and help them access those services if they choose to.</p></div></div></span>
<p> As a Caring City, we have several measures to help rough sleepers.</p><h4>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 </a>in 2013, we have, among others:</h4><ul><li>arranged short-term job opportunities for rough sleepers living in shelters; </li><li>helped to reunite rough sleepers with their families; </li><li>provided access to shelters and social services; </li><li>established <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/local%20and%20communities/community-health-and-safety/street-people/safe-spaces/">safe spaces</a> that offer temporary transitional accommodation to people who were previously rough sleepers. </li><li>provided assistance to shelters during winter (<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Activities-and-programmes/health-and-wellness/Winter-Readiness-Programme">Winter Readiness Programme</a>) so they can cope with the influx of rough sleepers.<br></li></ul><h4>Services at a safe space include:</h4><ul><li>access to bed space</li><li>provision of two meals per day </li><li>access to an on-site social worker </li><li>access to substance abuse rehabilitation </li><li>assistance with reintegration into society </li><li>assistance with obtaining identity documents and social grants </li><li>assistance with personal development plans </li><li>access to 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> ;
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<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>we provide help</h4><p>Our
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Community%2c%20Arts%20and%20Culture%20Development">Community, Arts and Culture Development Department</a> has invested more than R27, 5 million in providing health and social care for rough sleepers. We have also invested in
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Homeless-Shelter-Database.pdf" target="_blank">shelters across Cape Town </a>to provide a warm place to sleep, a warm shower and a hot meal for the thousands of people who access their services.</p></div></div></span>
<p>Through collaboration and partnerships with organisations invested in helping rough sleepers, we ensure our resources are used to support these organisations. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">What can you do?</h2><ul><li>find the organisations in your area and support small projects that help people get off the streets; </li><li>offer support and resources to charities, which can help develop programmes to help effect long-term change in the life of a rough sleeper; </li><li>contact <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Homeless-Shelter-Database.pdf" target="_blank">shelters and NGOs</a> that are committed to working with our rough sleeper communities and find out how you can help them.</li></ul><p>If we all work together and create real partnerships, we can continue to make a difference and bring about sustainable change to the lives of people living on the street. </p><p> If you have queries related to the City’s response to rough sleepers, please read through our
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Street_People%20FAQs_English.pdf">FAQ document</a>. </p>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">Contact us</h2></span>
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<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Community%2c%20Arts%20and%20Culture%20Development">Community, Arts and Culture Development Department</a><br></h4><p>
<em>Email:
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<a href="mailto:communityartsandculturedevelopment@capetown.gov.za">communityartsandculturedevelopment@capetown.gov.za</a></em><br></p><p>
<em>Telephone:<br><a>0800 872 201</a></em></p> | | GP0|#d834845f-54fa-4637-99fd-11473c1a0707;L0|#0d834845f-54fa-4637-99fd-11473c1a0707|Street people in Cape Town;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#bf2075b6-81ed-4492-8b39-a1782a31cb01;GPP|#36dcb5fe-6bfc-4ae9-92d7-8bd08d1f6414;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In Cape Town, we have over 6 000 people living on our streets. | 0 |
