No policy to assist homeless
"The status of Edenvale's homeless is not good. There is no imminent solution."
Edenvale’s concern for what can be done for the homeless in the town is not something new.
Councillor Heather Hart (ward 18) said the number of homeless people in the town has grown since she was first elected as ward councillor a few years ago.
“The status of Edenvale’s homeless is not good. There is no imminent solution,” said Hart.
In 2011/12 Hart was motivated to assist the homeless after she and municipal staff were threatened during a ward tour. The EMPD defused the situation.
“After that incident I realised that there was an issue that needed to be addressed,” said Hart.
To get the ball rolling Hart requested an inter-departmental meeting with Ekurhuleni Metro Police, the social development department and the customer care centre manager.
Also read:Â Helper humbled by the homeless
The outcome of that meeting was not satisfactory and she realised there was no policy in place to assist the homeless.
“It is very difficult to initiate action if there is no policy in place,” said Hart.
After escalating the matter to the regional offices of the social development department in the EMM, Hart was invited to a summit to discuss the homeless in 2012.
At the summit there were stakeholders from EMM and the provincial department of social development.
“At the meeting a mandate was given to the Department of Social Services to begin developing a policy which would assist the homeless,” said Hart.
However, since then the number of homeless people in Edenvale has grown.
Hart believes that this growth is because of the friendliness of Edenvale’s community, the opportunities for jobs and the lack of hostility compared to other places like the City of Johannesburg.
She said that each person is on the street for a different reason and multiple solutions need to be developed.
Although solutions need to be found, Hart said it is not within her capacity to help everyone.
However, she added, she can put pressure on the EMM to create a policy to assist the majority of homeless people.
Since the meeting in 2012 this has been Hart’s focus. She said dialogue between her, the EMM and the Department of Social Development has been progressive.
Some solutions have been discussed, including the need to profile the homeless and find remedial actions for each individual.
“The policy being discussed should be approved by council later this year,” said Hart.
Alongside the policy, Hart said transit homes will be used to assist the homeless.
She explained that the transit home will be a facility where the homeless will be profiled, assessed, treated with dignity and have solutions discussed with them.
She added that social workers, medical professionals and job skill trainers will assist the homeless at the transit homes.
In the interim Hart urged community members to be more understanding and not see all homeless people as a threat.
Also read:Â Restoring hope for the homeless
“There are problems amongst the homeless such as drugs, crime and violent behaviour; however, many of these problems have been created by life challenges they faced,” said Hart.
She hopes that a code of conduct can be developed between the homeless and the community members in Edenvale.
In the long term Hart hopes to have a shelter which provides a variety of services to the homeless.
“In Edenvale we have the privilege of having people in our community like Elize Filotto, the churches and Khanyisa Trust,” said Hart.
Hart said a network of people is needed to assist the homeless until the policy is agreed upon by council.
She said although there is no imminent solution, the situation can be improved if one person at a time is assisted.
“It can be as easy as giving clothes or a CV,” said Hart.
