Hot debate on shelter for homeless

THE need of a formal shelter for the homeless in Richards Bay has been hotly debated over the years.

But a concrete action plan has never materialised owing to factors such as funding, location and a reluctance by stakeholders to take responsibility for the management of such a facility.

Recent complaints by residents about vagrants occupying empty houses, greenbelts and begging on street corners and in shopping centres, high levels of substance abuse, the popularity of ‘Whoonga city’ and more budget cuts for NGOs, have fueled the discussion once again.

A Richards Bay social worker, who wants to remain anonymous for professional reasons, says historically the municipality was never in favour of designating land for a shelter because of fears that it would attract even more beggars to the city.

‘This is a complicated situation because they come here in any event, stay illegally on municipal land and harass people on the streets.

‘Churches and private donors, however well-meaning, can compound the problem by not working within the framework of municipal and other laws.

‘On the other hand, without them, there would be no help for families in legitimate need.

‘It would perhaps be better to establish a formal shelter where there is control, accountability and strict policies. Donations can then be made directly to the shelter for equal distribution.

‘Years ago a Richards Bay pastor started working on a concept, loosely based on the Israeli kibbutz system,’ the social worker said.

‘The cornerstones were going to be skills training, setting a three-month limit to the stay and an obligation to work on the premises in return for food and a roof.

‘He investigated the possibilities of generating income by washing overalls for industries and planting vegetable gardens.’

But a Richards Bay businessman and former Round Tabler says drifters are notoriously shy to work and many of his acquaintances have had hair-raising experiences after employing them out of pity.

‘There used to be a tented camp at Greenhills and employers often went there to pick up casual labourers and handymen so these men could at least have a small income, but the takers were few.

‘They preferred waiting for donations or worked only a couple of days before disappearing, some with tools and all.’

He recounts the story of a friend who hired a man to deliver fridges to furnished units, which he then forgot to tie down.

‘He lost fridges on the highway left, right and centre as far as he drove.’

When confronted by the furious owner, he indignantly and with expletives stated that he did not need such trouble in his life and that he was ‘king of the road’ once again.

A soup kitchen volunteer who used to work among street children and sex workers says handing out food parcels was also not a solution, because the system was abused and the lines grew longer and longer by the day.

Some people were driven in from elsewhere with trucks at mealtimes and the number of glue sniffing runaways increased because they could skip school and still get a decent meal.

While some homeless shelters take only singles, destitute families with young children are a reality in Richards Bay, says the social worker.

And they are the ones in need of shelter and protection the most, but state subsidies are so small that there is virtually no help available anywhere.

‘Children raised in households where poverty, unemployment, alcoholism and drug abuse are the norms of the day, are always at risk.

‘In a controlled, supervised environment it will be easier to identify victims of abuse and neglect.

‘There is no ideal solution, but the problem is not going to go away. It will in fact become worse.

‘It is time for stakeholders to re-evaluate the situation.’

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