Registered non-profit organisations that offer accommodation to vulnerable individuals have until Friday (14 April) to apply for aid to sustain their operations through winter, when more people tend to seek shelter and assistance.
The City of Cape Town’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department is making available aid and services to the value of R800 000 this winter, through its Winter Readiness Programme to be implemented between Friday 5 May and Tuesday 31 October.
The programme is open to qualifying shelters that are able to increase their bed capacity temporarily to deal with the increased demand for the service during winter.
This year, shelters providing bed spaces for adult couples, women and the LGBTQI+ community are also eligible to apply for aid.
“Historically, our winter readiness programme has focused on shelters working with people living on the street,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross. “This year we are extending an invitation to NPOs offering services to other groups to apply for aid too, provided that they meet all of the qualifying criteria. The NPO sector does incredible work and the City has, over the years, increased its assistance to these organisations, whether through grant-in-aid funding and other partnerships, but also our winter-readiness programme. I want to call on our NPOs please to review the criteria for applications and to make their submissions as soon as possible.”
Qualifying organisations will receive mattresses, cleaning materials, blankets, bedding, hygiene packs and non-perishable foodstuffs.
The City will also make staff available staff, through the national Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), to assist with general and administrative tasks to support the organisations’ capacity to accommodate additional clients.
) 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 developmental programmes
• Comply with all health and safety regulations
• Agree to site inspections by relevant City Departments
• 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 at www.capetown.gov.za/readyforwinter.
