GEORGE NEWS - A three-day survey in George identified 120 people living on the streets, highlighting the need for continued support and co-operation among the municipality, community organisations, and residents.
The survey, conducted in October by George Municipality's Community Development section, traffic services and law enforcement teams, aimed to establish a clearer picture of homelessness in the city and identify where assistance is most needed.
Of the 120 people recorded, 82 (68.3%) were men and 38 (31.7%) women. The largest group was aged between 31 and 35, accounting for 23 people, followed by 20 people aged 26 to 30.
The survey also recorded where people originally came from. George Central accounted for 14, followed by Borcherds and Pacaltsdorp with 12 each, Thembalethu with 11 and Parkdene with 10. Other places of origin included Conville, Rosemoor, Blanco, Oudtshoorn, Cape Town and the Eastern Cape.
However, the municipality emphasised that the findings represent only those reached during the three-day exercise and should not be regarded as the total number of homeless people in George.
The survey also recorded where people originally came from.
Public urged to help
Asavela Mandongana, social worker for community projects at George Municipality, appealed to residents and businesses to assist outreach teams by reporting areas where people regularly sleep or gather.
Information such as locations, approximate numbers of people, and the times they are usually present can help teams identify those who may need assistance.
Residents are also encouraged to support established organisations rather than giving indiscriminately, as these organisations provide structured assistance aimed at helping people move off the streets.
Most of the people recorded are coloured.
What's available?
Several organisations are already working to address homelessness in George.
Cremhog's Ithemba Night Shelter offers a free six-month transitional programme, while George Night Shelter provides a bed, shower and hot meal for R25 per night. Members of the public can sponsor someone's stay.
People Against Substance Abuse (Pasa) helps people access rehabilitation and treatment programmes, although families remain responsible for treatment costs.
Stop Trafficking provides free counselling, while Kidstop assists children living on the streets and offers parenting support. The Smoking and Alcohol Harms Alleviation and Rehabilitation Association (Sahara) provides ongoing support groups.
Of the 120 people recorded, 82 (68.3%) were men and 38 (31.7%) women.
Group effort
Mandongana emphasised that no single organisation can address homelessness alone. Co-operation between government, businesses, non-profit organisations and residents is essential to connect people with appropriate services and support.
The municipality also urged residents to treat people living on the streets with dignity and respect their privacy when sharing information. Residents and businesses who wish to report locations where assistance may be needed, or enquire about responsible giving, may contact George Municipality on 044 802 2000. - Compiled by Michelle Pienaar
Haweloses: Veilige oornagplek bly ’n prioriteit
Die plan om 'n veilige ruimte vir hawelose mense in George te vestig begin stadig maar seker vorm aanneem, maar die soektog na 'n geskikte perseel en befondsing bly van die grootste uitdagings.
Ná die Homeless Conversations-byeenkoms vroeër vanjaar het 'n werkskomitee die taak aangepak om praktiese oplossings vir haweloosheid in George te ondersoek. Die komitee het vandeesweek weer vergader om die volgende stappe te bespreek.
Een van die dringendste behoeftes is 'n veilige plek waar mense van die straat af kan kom, kan oornag en toegang tot basiese geriewe soos storte kan kry.
Sowat 45 m² se ruimte is by Ithemba Place of Hope beskikbaar. Bouplanne word tans ingedien, en die verwagting is dat die beplande fasiliteit ná die eerste kwartaal van 2027 voltooi sal wees, mits die nodige befondsing vir konstruksie bekom word.
Dié ruimte is egter nie voldoende om in die groter behoefte te voorsien nie. Die werkskomitee is daarom steeds op soek na 'n geskikte stuk grond of bestaande gebou wat as 'n aanvanklike veilige oornagplek ingerig kan word.
Die doel is om 'n basiese, veilige omgewing te skep waar hawelose mense snags skuiling kan vind.
Die werkskomitee bestaan uit verteenwoordigers van die George-munisipaliteit, die sakekamer, Christian Rehabilitation Ministries to the Homeless in George (Cremhog), sakelui, wetstoepassers, die polisie en gemeenskapslede.
Deur samewerking hoop die rolspelers om praktiese en volhoubare oplossings vir haweloosheid in George te vind.
Die komitee doen 'n beroep op die gemeenskap en plaaslike ondernemings om die inisiatief te ondersteun, hetsy deur finansiële bydraes of deur 'n geskikte perseel beskikbaar te stel.
Enigiemand wat meer inligting verlang of by die projek betrokke wil raak, kan André Olivier by 082 551 8900 kontak.
Direkteur van Cremhog, André Olivier. Foto: Michelle Pienaar
‘Ons bring jou die nuutste Tuinroete, Hessequa, Karoo nuus’
