World Homeless Day: Summit to tackle issues affecting Cape homeless

The City of Cape Town will today host a Street People’s Summit in adherence of World Homeless Day, with countless stakeholders working with the homeless on problems touching these vulnerable people.

Mayco member for community services and health Zahid Badroodien said, the summit are aimed at recognising gaps in facility of services to homeless people and developing better interface model between the City and organisations that deliver services to homeless people. He said, NGOs will get a chance to highlight their work and achievements. One of the conversation points is sector and City engagement around working together to provide social support for street people.

Badroodien said the event would be attended by 240 street people and would include a pop-up clothing stall, dignity station and hair grooming. Members of U-Turn Homeless Ministries were invited to talk at the summit, with the director of the organisation, Sam Vos, addressing the different spheres of homelessness.

Lucien Lewin, director at Dingley Marshall Inc - the law firm acting on behalf of seven homeless people fined by the City - said he hoped that at the summit, homeless people would get the opportunity to speak for themselves, without NGOs speaking for them.

By: Ellouise Muller