Forum adopts strategy to address homelessness in Ekurhuleni

The Ekurhuleni Homeless Forum (EHF) strategy to address homelessness in the region was adopted during a stakeholders’ meeting at Manger Care Centre in Brentwood Park on May 19.

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The EHF’s strategy focuses on comprehensively finding lasting solutions for homelessness.

“Homelessness is a state of mind and to address this, you need to look at counselling, social welfare and social workers, trauma counselling, and addiction. All of that is determined by what we have done today,” said outgoing chairperson Francus Palm.

“We have a strategy in place to keep ourselves as members of the EHF and all levels of government accountable and ensure they keep their promises,” Palm added.

Palm said they adopted their strategy after the provincial Department of Social Development asked them to develop a plan that will attend to the needs of the homeless in Ekurhuleni.

“We had our first meeting in March last year and were mandated by the DSD to determine our own strategy with NPOs, NGOs and organisations involved in assisting the homeless.

“We established where to start with our strategy, which led to our vision and mission.”

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In his presentation of the strategy, newly elected EHF secretary Andrew Wessels said the organization planned to integrate homeless people in Ekurhuleni into mainstream society through activities and interventions aimed at the prevention, management and elimination of homelessness.

Wessels stated they could achieve this through an ‘integrated developmental approach’ with stakeholders.

“Our mission is to deliver equitable, appropriate and sustainable policies, services, programmes and benefits, in partnership with our stakeholders through an integrated developmental approach, based on our core values, beliefs and guiding principles to enhance the quality of homeless people in Ekurhuleni,” Wessels said.

Dr Emmi Muleya from DSD said the pandemic was a blessing in disguise, as it highlighted the plight of the homeless in the province.

“We have neglected the homeless for a long time. Any strategy to address homelessness should be holistic,” he said.

Muleya presented the provincial strategy, which he said part of it was geared towards addressing the causes of homelessness.

The organisation’s holistic strategy is based on five pillars. These include skills development and economic inclusion of the homeless, provision of housing and shelters by using empty government buildings, and social inclusion.

“We want to be accountable to ourselves and the homeless. We also need to ensure funds are being utilised to address homelessness in Ekurhuleni,” Palm said.

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The organization also elected a new board, which will serve for five years.

A new steering committee, made up of individuals who have a heart for the homeless, was also elected.
The new board members are:

• Chairperson Zane Tahge

• Deputy chairperson Dr Marius Gertzen

• Secretary Andrew Wessels

• Deputy secretary Thembi Hlatswayo