Ward 73 councillor Eleanor Huggett joins Norwood clean-up
The most useful unit in the City is the Displaced Persons Unit in the Department of Social Development, and they assist by contacting the homeless people, referring them to shelters, advising them of options, and getting them into programmes
Ward 73 councillor Eleanor Huggett joined the Norwood community on February 5 to clean up Norwood Park.
Huggett said a massive amount of refuse was collected, much of it generated by the homeless who have moved into the park.
“The problem is further exacerbated by the fact that in spite of repeated reporting by myself and residents, City Parks has not fixed the lights, so it has become a haven for the homeless and criminals,” she said.
The councillor added that she regularly asked for assistance from JMPD but homelessness remained a major issue affecting all municipalities and was compounded by the challenges faced by the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act.
Huggett added that the act stipulated that anyone who had a dwelling (including on a pavement) may only be evicted from said dwelling with a court order, and even then, the eviction could only be effected if the local municipality could provide alternative accommodation.
“The City of Johannesburg has many eviction orders granted to it [some over five years old] but they’re sitting idle while the plan for alternative accommodation comes together.”
Huggett concluded by thanking Carynne Merber of Vered that sponsored the clean-up, the Cap Green team which regularly maintained the neighbourhood and members of the Norwood and Orchards Residents Association.
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