Windsor West homeless shelter remains closed
Maintenance on the roof is being carried out but no date provided for when the premises can be accessed by those in need.
Three months after work began to repair the Windsor West homeless shelter, a date for its reopening has yet to be set.
In May, it was reported that the shelter had closed for repairs. Maintenance to the roof was expected to take three months to complete.
During this time, residents of the shelter were moved to the Kotzé Street shelter in Braamfontien located at 3 Kotzé Street.
The Windsor 30-bed shelter is one of the precious few available to men who choose to enter state-run programmes to assist the homeless. With fewer than 1 000 beds available across the city for the tens of thousands of people without anywhere to sleep, it is hoped the work will be completed timely.
Despite multiple queries to Nthatisi Modingoane, City of Johannesburg spokesperson about progress and anticipated reopening dates, no feedback was received.
Ward 98 councillor Beverley Jacobs said, “Repairs to the roof are still in progress. I will follow up with regard to timelines with the relevant persons.”
This journalist approached the man overseeing the repairs and the woman who runs the shelter but neither were allowed to speak to the press.
The Northcliff Melville Times visited the Windsor West homeless shelter with Jacobs earlier this year to better understand what the facility offers homeless men in Region B. It is the only state shelter in the region and only caters to men.
The property was welcoming. All 30 beds were made and had ample blankets with a small lock-up locker available to keep the precious few belongings residents have safe.
The men who were present were friendly, clean, well dressed and getting ready for movie night, a weekly treat. The kitchen, bathrooms and living areas were clean and well-kept.
While unable to interview staff at the facility, Jacobs said, “My lived experience over the last six years when dealing with or visiting the shelter has been the same as today – clean, friendly and orderly.”
Updates will be posted as soon as they become available.
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