CAPE TOWN - U-turn, a local Cape Town NGO, is marking World Homeless Day by launching a 21-day campaign in the lead up to the local elections, to empower Cape Town citizens who find themselves homeless to vote for candidates whose policies around homelessness align to a developmental model.
“Traditionally, society responds to homelessness with reactive welfare that reduces suffering but does not change the situation - eg. a ’cup-of-soup-and-blanket’ approach. In the lead up to the elections, #ThisIsWorking campaign will publish stories of formerly homeless U-turn graduates who are now employed and living full independent lives,” the organisation said.
The #ThisIsWorking campaign emphasises the importance of shifting to a long-term responsive development solution.
In 2019, U-turn, along with research partners, conducted a report, “The Cost of Homelessness in Cape Town (homeless.org.za/cost-of-homelessness-in-cape-town)”, which looked at what the City collectively spent in response to homelessness and found that 45% went to punitive and reactive responses (eg. law enforcement, security, etc), with only 16% going to long-term developmental solutions.
“With a visible increase in homelessness, particularly in the aftermath of lockdowns, a development solution that creates a pathway out of homelessness is urgently needed to start reducing homelessness,” said U-Turn.
The #ThisIsWorking campaign launches with the stories of Ricky and Avon. Both were formerly homeless and are today employed and stable. Both are deeply inspiring individuals who have overcome enormous odds. Ahead of the local elections, U-turn will be publishing additional stories of formerly homeless clients who today are independent and contributing members of their community. Each video looks at three simple questions: Are you employed now? How did you leave the streets? Would you ever go back to the streets?
Avon’s and Ricky’s stories, along with others that are soon to be published, can be found at homeless.org.za/worldhomelessday
Cape Times