A TASK team comprised of community members, business people, non-governmental organisations and a representative from UKZN has been established to deal with the city’s homeless issues.
Deputy Mayor, Fawzia Peer said the task team was well represented to tackle the mounting problem of homelessness which grew every day.
“We need to apply our minds and come up with a budget as no funds have been allocated as yet. It is not easy ot deal with the homeless issue in the city and the solution is not dumping them in a particular area.”
Members of the Executive Committee welcomed the establishment of the city’s integrated council programme of action as well as the multi-sectoral partnership to support the needs of the homeless at last week’s Exco meeting at the Durban City Hall.
“I am glad this is of concern to all of us. There are many units in the city who are trying to tackle this issue on their own. We need to apply our minds and respond with one voice. That is why this task team is so important. It should also be noted that it is a societal problem that requires all hands on deck. As a society we need to work towards resuscitating the family unit. That is where most our problems starts. A broken family unit usually breeds children that do not have any one to look up to. Our families are plagued with fathers who are absent resulting in mothers having to double up as fathers. Surely some struggle to play a role of a father figure like their male counterparts. I am certain that once this is addressed, our society would gradually produce less children that are drug addicts roaming the streets,” said Peer.
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According to Peer, the City was trying its best to deal effectively with the homeless. She said one could not equate being homeless with drug abuse and criminality.
“Each person has to be assessed, some are mentally ill and require assistance. We want to integrate them back into society. We need regulated shelters to do this as well as skills development.”
In her concluding remarks, Peer pointed out that different members of the team would head different aspects including reunification, drugs and infrastructure.
Chairperson of the Governance and Human Resources Committee Councillor Barbara Fortein said the formation of the task team was a definite step in the right direction. Councillor Fortein stressed that while there is a need for affordable shelters providing daily accommodation for the homeless, the rehabilitation of individuals where they can be reintegrated successfully back into society was vital.
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