Shelter needs help to keep homeless warm this winter

With winter fast approaching, it is alarming how many people are homeless and living on the streets of Tshwane.

This was revealed by a survey of homeless people in the city by the University of Pretoria and the Tshwane Homelessness Forum.

The study counted a total of 4 177 people and 3 408 were surveyed.

The survey took place under the theme “Everyone count” and 395 volunteers took part, including some who were also once homeless.

“The findings suggest that the homeless population are relatively young people with 48% of respondents being 34 years old and younger,” said MMC for community and social development services Peggy de Bruin.

“Eighty percent of the respondents were 44 years old and younger, 72% were people aged between 25 and 44 years, while 31 respondents were under 18 years old.”

De Bruin said that the research will assist the metro and stakeholders to identify strategic interventions and budgets.

“The data will also help us to reflect critically on the current approaches.

The study was made possible with the advice and endorsement of the Bloomberg Associates from New York City and the Institute of Global Homelessness from DePaul University in Chicago.

It was highlighted that 87% were males that were homeless and 13% were females.

A homeless shelter in Akasia houses homeless men to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society.

The shelter, which was funded by the social development department and the Tshwane metro, started operating in tents at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

They currently house 180 homeless men.

While they would like to do more for the men in their care, the shelter needs the public’s help.

If you want to help the shelter, it has launched several drives that you can donate towards.

These include:

– Food drive: a donation of non-perishable and perishable goods to assist in feeding beneficiaries.
– Book drive: any books or study materials that are in good condition.
– Clothes drive: new or used formal, casual and corporate wear that will allow beneficiaries a change of clothes.

All donations can be dropped off on Mondays to Fridays from 08:00 to 17:00 at 18 Iris, 3rd Avenue, Heatherdale AH, Akasia.
For more info on how to get involved, contact Tebogo Mpufane at 065 275 0681.

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