Morero says CoJ need assistance in dealing with 'big problem' of homelessness

JOHANNESBURG - While the City of Johannesburg grapples with the mushrooming of illegal informal settlements, Mayor Dada Morero said the city was facing an even greater challenge in the soaring levels of homelessness.

With a critical shortage of temporary housing, the city said it was struggling to meet legal requirements to provide shelter before evictions could take place.

The law compels municipalities to provide shelter to homeless individuals, as well as those residing in hijacked buildings and unlawful informal settlements, before any evictions can take place.

Morero said the city needed assistance with addressing homelessness.

"I must also say that there’s a big problem in Johannesburg of homelessness. We need government, the private sector and civil society, so that we can all put solutions on the table. We do have limited shelters, but they’re not very effective."

He added that some homeless people had rejected government assistance.

"Some of the homeless people don’t want to be in shelters. So, there are a number of challenges about homelessness, which require all of society to help the government find an everlasting solution to this matter."