Local metropolitan government responses to homelessness in South Africa

Abstract

This article examines metropolitan government responses to homelessness in South Africa, including the context of responses, preparedness to respond, factors influencing responses, shelter locations, and homeless persons' views. Whereas the literature emphasises the need for spatial or physical interventions, this research, using multiple case studies, found that three out of four metropolitan municipalities viewed homelessness primarily as a social dependency issue and responded with social interventions. Yet homeless persons indicated that the most important thing the municipality could do for them was to provide employment and well-located affordable housing. The study concludes that municipalities might respond more effectively with spatial or physical interventions such as equitable urban planning and design and sensitive land use management, and by providing affordable housing close to places of employment.local government, metropolitan municipality, homelessness, affordable housing, low-cost housing, urban planning,

Shelters for the Homeless Children: Unmasking the Plight of the Street Children in South Africa

“…This law demanded the South Africa Police to remove pickpockets and beggars from the street and deal with them accordingly. This was also a concern for the welfare of street children which led to shelters for the homeless in South Africa (Du Toit, 2010).…”

“…Shelters in South Africa are mostly run by private institutions. Those run by the government are few and poorly structured with unfavourable conditions to house this children (Du Toit, 2010). This infrastructures' are prone to natural disasters which is a danger to the children in this home (Maillot et al, 2000).…”

Localising democracy on an uneven playing field: the roles of ward councillors in the City of Cape Town

“…Du Toit's (2010) survey of metro responses to the street homeless in Johannesburg, eThekwini, Cape Town and Tshwane observed a common pattern in the homeless being policed.7 This was also apparent with public transport, which was most frequently cited in high-income wards. For example, in ward E, the councillor and residents challenged the legal right of a private bus company to operate a commuter bus service through the ward.…”