Petition for homelessness and vagrancy in Edenvale gets over 500 signatures
“The strategy is usually moving them on and that has worked in the past but what is important to note is the social compact.”
In the hopes of addressing issues of homelessness and vagrancy in Edenvale, Ward 18 Ald Heather Hart will submit a petition to the provincial government.
ALSO READ: Ward 18 Clr Alderman Heather Hart highlights plans
With over 500 signatures, the petition will be handed to Gauteng’s MEC for the Department of Social Development.
The petition calls for the department to urgently provide shelters for the homeless in Ekurhuleni.
According to Hart, many of these individuals are homeless because of poverty, prolonged unemployment, substance abuse, mental illness and a lack of housing.
“We petition the MEC to make use of the Presidents Provincial Homeless Fund and the unspent budget allocated for funding the homeless in Ekurhuleni.”
Furthermore, the petition calls for the provincial department and the Department of Infrastructure to work together with the city to identify vacant municipal or departmental buildings that can be used as shelters.
Hart said another reason for the petition is for the province to implement the homeless policy and to ensure Ekurhuleni’s homeless have access to shelters, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
“Dealing with the homeless is a provincial competency and local government have their hands tied when it comes to assisting them,” explained Hart.
Through the petition, Hart hopes that homeless individuals will receive assistance from the department and relevant NGOs no longer live on the streets and be rehabilitated into society.
“I may be hopeful but this is what a responsible society does,” said Hart.
She said in Ekurhuleni two shelters assist the homeless namely MES and the Manger.
“We need many more shelters structured along those models,” explained Hart.
She explained that although EMPD must enforce municipal bylaws, it is very difficult when their limited facilities to assist these individuals.
Hart said another factor EMPD must take into consideration is the human rights and the dignity of the homeless.
ALSO READ: ‘Consult the city before building’ – Hart
Hart said it has been recognised at provincial level that homeless individuals have rights specifically the rights to shelter, skills development and assistance where needed.
“EMPD has to deal with them sensitively.
“The strategy is usually moving them on and that has worked in the past but what is important to note is the social compact.”
Hart said although she understands homeless individuals will be a part of society, she highlighted that they do not need to make themselves a nuisance to the community.
ALSO READ: Hart’s 2021 highlights
“I believe community members and the homeless can live side by side.”
She pointed out that invading residents’ space by the homeless, committing acts of vandalism or petty crime and not maintaining their living areas are causes for concern for the community.
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