What are the admission requirements for government-funded shelters?

With the growing homelessness crisis in the City of Joburg the Gauteng Department of Social Development shared the requirements for admissions to shelters.

Spokesperson for the department Feziwe Ndwayana shared admission requirements for government-funded shelters. “The drop-in centres, safe spaces and shelters must develop and implement an admission policy which should not discriminate on the basis of religion, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation etc,” says Ndwayana.

The documents required for admission to the facilities mentioned above are:

Drop-in centres:

• Identity document and/or affidavit/asylum for foreign nationals.
• Drop-in centre may assist the homeless person do an affidavit within 72 hours.
• Drop-in centres must only admit persons between 18–59 years old.

Safe spaces:

•  Identity document and/or affidavit/asylum for foreign nationals.
• Safe spaces may assist the homeless person do an affidavit within 72 hours.
• Safe spaces must only admit persons between 18–59 years old.

Shelters:

• Identity document and/or affidavit/asylum for foreign nationals.
• Shelters may assist the homeless person do an affidavit within 72 hours.
• Medical assessment should be done in 72 hours.
• A signed contract with the shelter for the duration of the stay.
• Contact numbers of at least two next of kin.
• Shelters must only admit persons between 18–59 years old. Those over 60 should be referred to old-age homes.