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Lockdown for the Homeless

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1585661494469{padding-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”How is Coronavirus affecting the homeless in Cape Town?” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1586172471891{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1586178215884{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Last updated 06/04/2020

A number of Cape Town non-profits are working together & supporting each other to create a co-ordinated response to the needs of homeless people during the lockdown. This page contains the updates, insights and requests from those non-profits so that Capetonians can know how best to assist the homeless during this difficult time.

In summary:

  • The Strandfontein temporary shelter is now open and City of Cape Town will be accommodating up to 2,000 people who are homeless at this site. 
  • Government also started moving refugees out of the city bowl to a site in Belville.
  • Non-profits and faith based organisations will continue to provide relief to those who remain on the street, until no longer needed
  • We ask the public to report hotspots of homeless people by leaving a comment on this post found on our Facebook page
  • Over 49 people volunteered to support the non-profit response. Our deep thanks. Registration is now closed at this time.

Also see

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”faqs”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1585157504755{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dashed” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#f3dd30″ css=”.vc_custom_1585572406721{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Frequently Asked Questions[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion style=”flat” shape=”square” color=”white” active_section=”h” collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Should I drive around my neighbourhood and hand out food to street people?” tab_id=”1585561111478-160ed1cc-28e5″][vc_column_text]The short answer is no. The lockdown regulations states that public are only allowed out of their homes for very specific things (groceries, medical attention etc) or if they have a permit to travel to deliver essential services.

If there are more than 10 people who are homeless and remain in your area, please let us know by leaving a comment on this post found on our Facebook page[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Should I help a street person who knocks on my door or my car window?” tab_id=”1585561111559-095f4b1e-8e1f”][vc_column_text]

  • In short, if you have food with you, I would say yes, please help. These are unprecedented times and the poor are impacted the most! As you help, follow the guidelines from health authorities to minimise infection risk eg sanitising your hands and practicing social distance as much as you can.
  • If there are more than 10 people who are homeless and remain in your area, please let us know by leaving a comment on this post found on our Facebook page

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How can you help?

  • Food can be purchased online and delivered to one of the following service centres, between 9:00-15:00:
    • U-turn service centre @ c/o Stegman and Hawthorne roads, Claremont
    • MES Service Centre @ 3 Davis Street, Bellville
    • Napier Street Haven @ 2 Napier Street, Green Point
      (The following food is currently needed:  stew (eg vegetables, potatoes, mince meat, etc) and sandwich fillings (eg cheese, ham etc))
  • Volunteer your time if you meet the minimum criteria
  • Help sew masks for over 5,000 staff, volunteers, and people who are homeless
  • Share this with friends and family

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Help us Make Masks

Over 5,000 masks are needed for U-turn staff, volunteers, people who are homeless that we assist and our NGO partners.

While Government has amended its policy on masks, based on evidence they recommend that everyone wear a homemade material mask, ideally made from three layers and pleated. To keep us all safe, we need your help to make the masks.

Please watch this great instructional video on how to make masks. You can drop off masks at one of the following locations:

  • U-turn Service Centre, between 10:00 and 14:00 from Mon – Fri,  at the corner of Hawthorne Rd and Claremont Boulevard
  • Vineyard Engen Petrol Station, 2 Main Road, Newlands in the U-turn collection bin
  • MES head office, between 9:00 and 16:00 from Mon – Fri, at 3 Davies Avenue, Belville
  • The Service Dining Rooms, between 7:00 and 14:00 from Mon – Fri, at 82 Cantebury Street, District Six, Cape Town Central

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVZwX9w-Wbw” align=”center”][vc_column_text]Our Thanks to Mascha from iSEW Sewing Studio, a U-turn supporter, for this tutorial on making masks at home.

You can download Mascha’s free pattern here[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”fooddrops”][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dashed” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#f3dd30″ css=”.vc_custom_1585571990727{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;}”][vc_column_text]

Service Centres Providing Food

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner el_id=”CV19Map”][vc_column_inner css=”.vc_custom_1586177601908{padding-bottom: 40px !important;}”][vc_column_text]The following Service Centres have continued their service of food during lockdown:

  • U-turn Service Centre, Claremont (Mon-Sun @ 12:00-14:00)
  • Youth Solutions, Zonnebloem (9:00 and 15:00)
  • MES, Belville (17:00)
  • Haven, CBD, Napier Street (9:00 and 17:00)

Help to strengthen Service Centres. Equipment needed:

  • Food containers (e.g. yoghurt pots / ice cream containers)
  • A roll of plastic bags (e.g. packets of freezer or sandwich bags) so that food can be packaged for easy distribution
  • Crates or large plastic boxes so that large quantities of food can be loaded and unloaded more easily
  • Vehicles that can be used for delivery vehicles (10:00-16:00)
  • Get in touch if you’re able to assist with any of the above equipment

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Get in touch

Please use the form below to report hotspots or to find out more information about this Coronavirus Appeal.

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