Councillor’s Corner: Helping the homeless

 JOBURG – Read this weeks’ question in Councillor’s Corner.

How can we help the homeless guys on the street?
This week’s question is:

How can we help the homeless guys on the street? Do they not have somewhere to go like accommodation provided by government?

Nicole van Dyk, Ward 99 councillor, answers this week’s question.

Nicole van Dyk, Ward 99 councillor, answered:

First, let me say thank you for having space in your heart for those less fortunate, too often the homeless are forgotten.

The question around displaced people is a very complex one as no one has an answer that meets the criteria of funding, human and constitutional rights, employment opportunities, etc.

At this point there are very few, perhaps 10, city-funded homeless shelters across the City of Johannesburg. For one to stay there, there is normally a fee of R10 which will get the person supper, breakfast, a bed, and shower.

However, and I have seen this with my own eyes, some displaced people will rather stay on the streets than go to a shelter.

This is because crime is rife within shelters and many would rather move through life anonymously, since one is often required to give your fingerprints at a shelter.

Every suburb across the city has a problem with displaced people and most residents will write to their local representatives to address this issue in their parks.

But when Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco) approaches residents about establishing a shelter, the answer is often ‘not in my backyard’.

While the reasons for saying no are sometimes quite valid, some are also cruel and leave the city’s options in a state of limbo.

People don’t want displaced people in the suburbs but cannot offer any way forward as to how to deal with a situation that abides by constitutional rights.

For people who would like to see that a homeless shelter is not always a bad thing, please take the time to visit the Sisters of Mercy shelter next to Rosebank police – it is a model example of a working shelter helping those that are less fortunate.

My final request is that we all open our hearts and minds and come up with solutions to the problem rather than complain – let’s all help each other.