Cape Town’s Haven Night Shelter in Kensington has more than doubled its capacity, adding 120 beds after a R12 million upgrade by the City of Cape Town, bringing the total to 200.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has officially opened the expanded shelter this week and was joined by Francine Higham, Mayco member for community services and health.

The facility is operated by Haven Night Shelter and owned and maintained by the City.

The upgrades include expanded kitchen and bathroom facilities, new flooring, painting and improved fire safety measures.

The Kensington expansion follows similar projects at other Haven-operated shelters. In Retreat, the City is funding an expansion that will triple the facility’s capacity to almost 300 beds, while the shelter in the CBD has increased its capacity by 63%, from 96 to 156 beds.

Hundreds more beds are expected to be added through other shelter expansion projects in the pipeline.

Shelter network doubled

Hill-Lewis said the City had significantly expanded its shelter network during its current term.

“Over this term, we have nearly doubled Cape Town’s shelter network to over 1 300 beds, adding around 640 new beds. That includes 340 at the new City Safe Spaces in Green Point and Durbanville, and 300 beds from expansions to Haven-operated shelters. We have also upgraded facilities at the City’s two Culemborg Safe Spaces in the CBD, with many more exciting projects in the pipeline to expand shelters across the metro.”

The mayor said the City had allocated R100 million in the current financial year towards addressing homelessness.

“The City has allocated R100 million in this financial year alone to help more people off the streets, as the only metro with a social development budget to address homelessness. In this way, we are helping many more people to make that choice to leave the streets, which is the best decision anyone can make for safety, dignity and well-being,” said Hill-Lewis.

Of the allocation, R87 million will fund operations at the City’s four Safe Spaces, which provide shelter and social services, as well as outreach interventions encouraging people to leave the streets.

The funding also covers annual winter support for non-governmental organisation shelters and work opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to help people get back on their feet.

More shelter projects planned

Over the next three years, the City will allocate R62 million to shelter expansion projects.

These include a new Safe Space in Kuils River, the redevelopment of the Paint City Safe Space in Bellville, and expansions to Haven Night Shelters in Wynberg and District Six.

Higham said homelessness was a complex social challenge that required more than accommodation.

“Every person who accepts assistance is a step towards lasting change, and we remain committed to ensuring that support is available to everyone willing to take that first step to leaving the streets for good,” said Higham.

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