The adopted strategy for Rough Sleeping is applicable to those who currently live and sleep on the street. Picture: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
Council adopted the City’s Strategy to Reduce Rough Sleeping, which is set to replace the existing Street People policy, at its final meeting for the year on Thursday.
According to the strategy by the Community Services and Health directorate, it aims to address the issue of homelessness, with a specific focus on "reducing rough sleeping" in the city.
The adopted strategy for Rough Sleeping is applicable to those who currently live and sleep on the street and communities who are vulnerable to future rough sleeping in order to prevent an increase in the number of people sleeping rough.
“The Strategy acknowledges that the issue of rough sleeping is a multi-faceted and complex one.
Apart from distinguishing between different categories of people who sleep rough, the strategy also recognises that people sleeping rough are not a homogenous group.
Accordingly, the strategy sets out its strategic approach which is based on prevention, intervention and collaboration,” the draft document states.
The item was adopted following a public participation process.
According to the City, 37 comments were received from individuals and organisations.
“Two comments were received which opposed the use of the term ‘rough sleeper’. As a result, an amendment was made to the title of strategy to move away from the term ‘rough sleeper’ as to not label the person but to reference to the activity. The term ‘rough sleeper’ was changed to ‘people sleeping rough’,” the draft document read.
Good Party councillor, Wesley Neumann, said the term ‘rough sleepers’ did not only dehumanize those experiencing homelessness but also exposed the City’s “uncaring disposition to the weak and most vulnerable residents”.
“It reflects a systemic failure by the City to address underlying issues and perpetuates stigmatisation rather than fostering compassion, understanding, and finding meaningful solutions to address the City’s self-inflicted crisis for people in need of housing. It’s clear that the City has failed to seriously engage the complexities of the situation and is merely reacting in a knee-jerk fashion to the visibility of homelessness in the CBD.
“Their so-called ‘solution’ is rooted in neglect and short-sightedness, as demonstrated by the report claiming 6 200 people are living on the streets, yet only 764 individuals are reportedly placed in so-called ‘safe spaces’ that are nothing more than a band-aid solution to a systemic crisis,” said Neumann.
Council also gave the green light to the start of the public participation process to release the Good Hope Centre property for proposed redevelopment.
The City’s redevelopment proposal envisions retaining the Good Hope Centre’s iconic dome while optimising the surrounding space for mixed-use potential.
Mayco member for Economic Growth, James Vos, said the public participation process would get underway in the new year.
“Approval by Council is the exciting first step in a process that will bring new life to the Good Hope Centre. This iconic site has always been an integral part of Cape Town’s heritage, and the proposed redevelopment will blend that rich history with the vibrant, modern precinct our city needs to thrive,” said Vos.
Cape Times