FOR some of the homeless in Durban, thanks to the generous staff at the Denis Hurley Centre (DHC), lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic has been an experience of care that has led to a positive change in their lives.
Raymond Perrier, director of the DHC, said eThekwini Municipality has decided to phase out the network of 12 emergency shelters that were set up during lockdown, and some of the outdoor ones have become safe open sleeping spaces.
“This is a strategy that was started in Cape Town two years ago and for which we have been campaigning in Durban for some time – a safe place for homeless people to sleep without fear of the rain, criminals or rogue police officers. Two such sites are already set up and a third on the way, and they have been greatly welcomed by the homeless,” he said.
Perrier said that for many of the 98 elderly, sick and disabled homeless men staying at the DHC this is not a solution, and for the three months they have been at the centre, time has been spent getting to know every individual and planning a long-term strategy for each one.
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He said the team were grateful for the help they had from key people in the KZN Departments of Social Development and Health, and also eThekwini’s Safer Cities for their assistance.
“A good number have been reunited with their families, sometimes on the outskirts of Durban, sometimes further afield. Five have been accepted to the Napier Centre 4 Healing, our sister project which provides a nine-month rehabilitation and reintegration programme for former addicts. Some of those who are registered disabled or pensioned are now getting grants and will be able to use these to pay for accommodation in homes such as TAFTA, Leonard Cheshire or Aryan Benevolent. We are immensely grateful to these organisations for their openness,” he said.
Perrier said a few with severe physical and mental disabilities will continue to stay at the Denis Hurley Centre for a while longer.
“We hope and pray that we will be able to find long-term solutions for them as well so they do not have to return to the streets,” he said.
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