Unless residents stop giving handouts to street people they will be reluctant to leave an area or accept assistance from the City of Cape Town.
This is the sentiments of Ward 1 councillor Cheryl Visser shared with fellow ward councillors at a Subcouncil 7 meeting held on Wednesday last week. The meeting was held in the council chambers at the municipal offices in Durbanville.
Councillors were discussing the Quarterly Progress Report on the Street People Programme Interventions Undertaken by the Street People Unit (SPU) within Subcouncil 7 on the agenda, where the issue was discussed.
Visser said Olienhout Avenue, Plattekloof was of concern.
She said street people roam the area, but residents were the problem as they supported them by giving handouts and donations.
“Do not support them!”
She said she understood people have a moral compass and they feel obliged to give. The City cannot remove street people, only engage with them, Visser pointed out.
“Unfortunately they do not want to move from there; they want to stay because it is nice there.”
Gerhard Fourie, subcouncil chair, said this was an ongoing issue.
Subcouncil 7 encouraged residents rather to support the City’s Give Dignity Initiative.
According to the City’s website the interventions aim to raise awareness around the plight of people living on the street. It emphasises the importance of giving those in need a hand up, rather than a handout. Instead of cash handout, which often increases the risk of prolongued homelessness, the City encourages people to make a donation to the initiative.
The City supports 20 shelters by providing financial support. The donation from the public can help someone meet their basic needs; breakfast or a hot meal, a night in a warm bed, and a mask or sanitiser.
A representative of the SPU said that their team has had new staff members joining them, and that this will allow them to be more visible within Subcouncil 7.
To help the Give Dignity Initiative call 021 480 7700.
