During the colder months, more rough sleepers and vulnerable people seek shelter and assistance. The City’s Winter Readiness Programme helps shelters respond to this increased demand by providing practical support, including bedding, blankets, hygiene items, food supplies and cleaning materials.

The programme is open to qualifying shelters who are able to temporarily increase their bed capacity to deal with the increased demand for the service during winter. The City will also make available staff through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to assist with general and administrative tasks to increase capacity at NGO-partners to accommodate additional clients.

The Winter Readiness Programme is a core part of the City’s broader approach to reducing rough sleeping, which also includes access to Safe Spaces, a dedicated Street People Unit and public awareness campaigns.

In the six months between July and December 2025, the Street People Programme Unit:

• Received 6 103 service requests and enquiries
• Completed over 5 400 screenings and 9 500 follow-up visits, and
• Facilitated 1 075 placements at shelters or City Safe Spaces.

Some rough sleepers engaged in this period have gone on to find employment, including jobs as an e-hailing driver and chef.

The Winter Readiness Programme will be implemented between 4 May and 30 October 2026.

‘Winter is one of the hardest times for people living on the streets, and we know the pressure this places on our shelters. Through this programme, the City is working with our NGO-partners across Cape Town to provide safe, dignified spaces and practical support. I encourage all eligible shelters to apply so that, together, we can help more residents come in from the cold and access the support they need,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.

Applicants must be registered as a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) or a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO).

They must also:

• Have existing facilities to accommodate clients and address their needs through support programmes
• Be compliant with requirements of the Population Certificate (when applying for increase in bed capacity)
• Comply with all health and safety regulations
• Have an approved building plan
• Submit a draft floor plan for the additional temporary bed spaces
• Have a Certificate of Acceptability for Food Premises

Application forms are available by emailing Chantal.Krull@capetown.gov.za  or at www.capetown.gov.za/readyforwinter .

Caption: Councillor Higham at the handover of aid at an event in 2025.

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