Homelessness scourge needs fresh approach, says Homeless Network

The chairperson of the Homeless Network believes the issue of homelessness needs a fresh approach.

Speaking to John Maython on the afternoon drive on CapeTalk, on Tuesday, Raymond Perrier said taking a uniform approach to homelessness and creating an environment where multiple solutions work side by side are needed.

He added that when a city signs the memorandum of agreement to become a vanguard city, it is a commitment to solving the matter in creative ways.

"A shelter with strict rules which enable people to live there feeling safe and feeling that they can live comfortably with the people around them works for those who are willing to abide by rules, but obviously is not going to work so well for people who are less rule bound."

The City of Cape Town signed this memorandum on Monday at the National Homeless Conversation, which took place in the city.

But Perrier criticised the city’s response to managing homelessness in the past, calling its efforts dismal.

"Their response to homelessness during Covid was, to be fair, dismal. I'm sure people remember a lot of the bad stuff that was done then. And over these last five years, they've really changed their attitude and engaged creatively."

Perrier said only two South African cities currently meet the requirements for tackling homelessness.

"Being a vanguard city is a recognition that Cape Town is now in the top 20 cities in the world in addressing homelessness in a creative manner. Cape Town and Tshwane, Pretoria, are the only two cities in South Africa to achieve that status."

Article by Camray Clarke.

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