The first-of-its-kind dignity centre for individuals experiencing homelessness is to be officially established in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality.
This unanimous decision by council was proposed and secured by René Steyn, DA councillor in Matjhabeng.
The approval for this Dignity Centre, or Transitional Shelter, for homeless individuals comes after a motion. Steyn brought forward the motion on 27 August. “It marks a crucial step towards addressing the municipality’s growing homelessness crisis,” says Steyn.
She says homelessness in Matjhabeng is a growing crisis. Displaced individuals are increasingly occupying public and private property. This results in illegal dumping, vandalism, fires, and significant public health and safety risks. Until now, the municipality has lacked a structured mechanism to address the problem in a lawful, coordinated, and compassionate way.
The proposed Dignity Centre is a practical model. It is humane and based on successful examples. These examples include Cape Town’s Safe Space initiative.
The centre will provide:
- Temporary shelter and sanitation – safe overnight accommodation, gender-separated sleeping areas, and basic ablution facilities.
- Profiling and support services – homeless individuals will be registered, assisted with obtaining identification documents, and linked to social services such as healthcare, substance abuse rehabilitation, and grant applications.
- Reintegration opportunities – access to skills development, employment support (including Expanded Public Works Programme, EPWP, opportunities), and family reunification where possible.
- Lawful enforcement support – by offering alternative accommodation, the centre will empower the municipality and law enforcement to act within constitutional and legal frameworks when clearing unlawful occupations.
“Council has further resolved that I, together with the office of the executive mayor, must now refine the details and logistics of the centre. This includes identifying an appropriate site, securing funding, and engaging with key partners such as the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Social Development, the police, municipal law enforcement, and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs),” says Steyn.
The establishment of a Dignity Centre is not intended as a permanent housing programme. Instead, it serves as a structured, transitional intervention. Its aim is to restore dignity, provide immediate relief, and create pathways out of homelessness.
“By adopting this motion, the council has acknowledged that homelessness in Matjhabeng requires urgent and coordinated action. This resolution is proof. Practical solutions are possible when the focus is placed squarely on serving the community,” says Steyn.
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