Homelessness in SA persists in a policy vacuum — one varsity is acting to fill it
World Homeless Day is on 10 October, but there is little response to homelessness from the government, while grassroots organisations typically have to pick up the slack in a fit of crisis management.
As World Homeless Day approaches on October 10th, the issue of homelessness in South Africa continues to persist due to the absence of a comprehensive national policy. Despite the lack of government action, grassroots organizations often step in to manage the crisis, leaving a significant gap in addressing this problem. Jean-Paul Pophaim, a member of the multistakeholder task team striving to improve responses to homelessness, emphasizes the need for a multisectoral and transdisciplinary approach that breaks down silos and challenges prescriptive mandates.
This approach is crucial in South Africa, where homelessness is deeply rooted in a failed democracy that neglects constitutional rights and exacerbates human rights violations.
The challenge of defining homelessness is further compounded by its diverse nature, affecting individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences. While the United Nations defines homelessness as an extreme manifestation of poverty and system failure, it also underscores the need for more nuanced definitions to capture the full scope of the issue.
To raise awareness and promote informed attitudes, it is essential for society to recognize the gravity of homelessness and its impacts on both individuals and the broader community.
Currently, only one province, three cities, and one municipality have attempted to develop policies to tackle homelessness, with mixed results. This lack of a unified national strategy has resulted in a policy vacuum, leaving South Africa's homelessness situation largely unaddressed. In Mangaung, a city that has not yet introduced a homelessness policy, the impact of this void is particularly pronounced.
Bishop De la Harpe le Roux, representing the Towers of Hope at the University of the Free State (UFS), has initiated a multistakeholder task team to address this pressing issue. The UFS, committed to more than just charitable acts, sees homelessness response as a core component of its academic function and ethical responsibility.
This task team, comprising representatives from academic faculties, community organizations, and stakeholders, aims to develop a coordinated, inclusive, and evidence-based response to homelessness in Mangaung.
The task team's phased approach includes conducting an estimation survey, engaging with local government departments, conducting a region-wide census, organizing community awareness events, and holding participatory consultations. These steps are designed to gather contextually relevant data, establish functional intersectoral relationships, and create sustainable service pathways.
Ultimately, the goal is to move from fragmented crisis responses to a comprehensive policy that ensures the well-being of those experiencing homelessness.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
