Fostering Integrated, Collaborative Approaches to End Street Homelessness: A COVID-19 Perspective

Abstract

This article maps the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in the City of Tshwane through the lens of street homelessness. This is done through a "thick description" of what happened during this time. This map is then read against both the intention of the Tshwane Homelessness Policy and the said objectives of the Tshwane Homelessness Forum. The article will indicate ways in which collaborative approaches in the city are starting to bear fruit, whilst at the same time showing how persistent competition and isolation from each other works detrimentally for both those who are homeless and seeking support, as well as for those perpetuating isolationist action. It recommends specific areas in which integrated, collaborative action is required to break specific cycles of street homelessness in the city.

The demography and disease burden of the homeless shelter population of Tshwane during COVID-19

“…This led to placement of a mixture of homeless people in shelters as some of them were street-homeless with no home and others were day strollers with occasional shelter living, depending on the situation at the time. 9 , 10 , 11 …”

“… 3 , 9 , 10 , 11 The project drew together governmental organisations and the private sector. 10 , 11 The gained knowledge should inform policies and support programmes addressing the homeless situation in future.…”

“… 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 The virus spreads rapidly from human to human causing mild upper respiratory symptoms in some and severe pneumonia and organ failure in others with death occurring in 4.5% – 6.0% of the cases. 11 , 12 , 14 The rapid spread, with no clinically approved antiviral drug or vaccine available to treat the condition, forced the World Health Organization (WHO) emergency committee to declare it a global pandemic. 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 16 …”

“… 11 , 12 , 14 The rapid spread, with no clinically approved antiviral drug or vaccine available to treat the condition, forced the World Health Organization (WHO) emergency committee to declare it a global pandemic. 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 16 …”

“…On 27 March 2020, national lockdown in South Africa was announced in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 that could affect millions of South Africans because of the high number of HIV, TB, poverty and malnourishment. 9 , 10 , 11 A particularly vulnerable group was the large number of homeless individuals.…”