Cape Town’s street‑people safe spaces have made a tangible impact. Between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025, City-run and partner shelters engaged more than 36 500 times with rough sleepers, providing essential support and helping 5 073 leave the streets.
Cape Town street‑people safe spaces offer shelter and support
The City’s safe spaces provide overnight accommodation, ablution facilities, two meals per day, social-work support, and personal development planning. These Cape Town street-people facilities also give access to substance-abuse treatment, help with identity documents, social grants, family reunification, skills training, and job-placement opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
2024/25 interventions help thousands
This year, the City assisted 5 073 people off the streets, up from 4 409 the previous year. This included:
- 691 participants in City-run development programmes
- 80 EPWP work placements
- 627 referrals for social grants, identity documents, specialised care, and substance-abuse treatment
Success story: Legidas Ndaviragiye
A key success story is 40-year-old Legidas Ndaviragiye. After two years of support following a fire, he returned to Burundi with assistance from City officers and the Haven Night Shelter, one of the Cape Town street-people dedicated safe spaces.
“Our field officers first met Legidas in 2022,” said Francine Higham, Mayco member for Community Services and Health. “We arranged shelter placement, followed up for two years, and assisted him with family reunification. Soon, he was ready to return home.”
Shelter expansion strengthens Cape Town street‑people safe spaces
The City has expanded shelter capacity, including a 120-bed extension at Haven Night Shelter in Retreat, doubling its capacity to 224 beds. A 300-bed Safe Space opened last year in Green Point. Further expansions at Kensington, Wynberg, and District 6 will increase capacity across the metro to 1 308 beds, thereby enhancing Cape Town street-people safe spaces.
City leaders highlight importance of safe spaces
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said these expansions are part of Cape Town’s social development approach. “By adding more shelter beds we help people choose support, reintegration, and family reunification over unsafe street life,” he said.
Higham added: “The City does as much as possible, but we cannot do it alone. Our partners’ dedication helps us reach more rough sleepers.”
Walk-in Street People Programme provides additional services
The City’s Walk-in Street People Programme Unit in Strand Street operates Monday to Friday, 06:30 to 16:00. Individuals sleeping rough can access services and guidance at the centre, complementing the Cape Town street-people safe space initiative.
