DSD finds positives despite poor attendance to meeting
“We need to educate communities to understand we cannot just remove people. We also need to educate the homeless about the services available to them,”
Despite a poorly attended inaugural Ekurhuleni Shelters Forum meeting on June 30 at Manger Care Centre (MCC), Adele de Bruin from the Department of Social Development (DSD) was encouraged by the efforts of organisations to address homelessness.
The meeting held to help shelters unfunded by the DSD to implement guidelines for homelessness and access funding, was only attended by one organisation.
De Bruin said the guidelines would ensure the organisations meet the norms and standards and that services provided to homeless people are standardised and formalised.
“We wanted them to be here because we want to start implementing the guidelines and assist them in applying for funding. These shelters on board with the DSD know we are here to support them,” said De Bruin.
“We want to ensure they meet the minimum requirements for registration and that everybody rendering a service to the homeless is on the same page.”
According to De Bruin, they cannot address homelessness alone.
“We are looking for ways to place homeless people in shelters, but the biggest problem is no one can force them to go. This is a challenge to communities, and we need to understand the magnitude of the problem.
“We need to educate communities to understand we cannot just remove people. We also need to educate the homeless about the services available to them,” she said.
De Bruin advised the organisations to comply with the guidelines to avoid being closed down.
Bongi Dhlamini from the DSD said guidelines are developed to ensure quality services and that the funds allocated for the programs are utilised effectively to maximise the potential benefits of the homeless shelters.
“The guidelines have a particular relevance to those that access the shelters, organisations providing the services, funders, government and various stakeholders that directly and indirectly play in the homeless people sector,” she said.
Some of the objectives of the guidelines are promoting the social reintegration of homeless people into communities, protecting their rights and providing a frame of reference to service providers.
“We are looking at services that encourage independence or self-reliance. The aim is to empower the homeless,” she said.
To be able to apply for funding, organisations have to be registered as NPOS with the DSD and submit a business plan which has to come with a certificate, compliance letter, constitution and banking details.
“The business plan is most important, and your objectives must be in line with the department’s provisions,” said Mashudu Denga from DSD.
Andrew Wessels from the MCC advised organisations to incorporate the homelessness guidelines into their existing systems to address the issue while leveraging their existing infrastructure and resources.
“It requires a compassionate and collaborative approach, ensuring that individuals experiencing homelessness are treated with dignity, respect, and provided with the necessary support to transition out of homelessness,” Wessels said.
Also Read: Forum adopts strategy to address homelessness in Ekurhuleni
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