GEORGE NEWS - Former George street resident Deon Frans believes rehabilitation gave him the opportunity to rebuild his life after nearly three decades of homelessness.

Frans shared his story during the Homelessness Conversation hosted by Christian Rehabilitation Ministries to the Homeless in George (Cremhog).

The event was held on Monday 20 July at the Langhuis of the DR Mother Church. Frans told delegates he spent 29 years living on the streets after losing his mother as a child and being rejected by his father. Addiction, crime and repeated imprisonment followed.

While homeless, he and his partner had several children, all of whom were removed from their care.

His life changed when he entered Cremhog's iThemba Centre, where he received rehabilitation and support before eventually moving into his own house which Cremhog helped to construct.

"One month in my own house, I got all of my children back," said an emotional Frans.

"I made myself one promise: I will never, ever sleep on the streets again."

Cremhog general manager André Olivier said Frans's experience demonstrates why homelessness should not be viewed as a single issue affecting all people in the same way.

"There are people like Deon, who can and want to make a start on a new life, but they need just a bit of help," he said.

Thanks to the help of Cremhog's iThemba Centre, Deon Frans has a new life. Photo: Supplied

The importance of rehabilitation was also emphasised by George Council Speaker Sean Snyman, who also revealed he had experienced homelessness 17 years ago.

He said addiction has become one of the biggest drivers of chronic homelessness.

Cremhog currently serves about 100 meals daily to people living on the streets and operates the iThemba Centre, where homeless residents receive accommodation, counselling, life-skills training and job-readiness support before being reintegrated into society.

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