The U-turn Homeless Service Centre has expressed concerns about whether the City of Cape Town will be able to provide adequate shelter for the homeless during the winter season.
The city recently sought public input on its plans to create a “safe space” for 300 homeless individuals in Greenpoint. However, U-turn Homeless Service Centre fears that thousands of homeless people may be left without shelter.
According to spokesperson Stephen Underwood, U-turn estimates that there are currently over 14,000 homeless people living on the streets of Cape Town. However, there are only approximately 3,500 shelter beds available, creating a significant shortfall in shelter capacity.
Underwood believes that the city’s plans to spend over R300 million in the next three years to address homelessness in Cape Town may not be enough to address the crisis.
Despite U-turn Homeless Service Centre’s concerns, the City of Cape Town has taken steps to address the issue of homelessness in the city.
The city’s winter readiness program aims to increase the number of beds available for homeless people during the winter season, and the city has increased its budget to provide safe spaces and more accommodations for the homeless. However, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be sufficient to meet the needs of the city’s homeless population.