TREAT CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS AS A HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE

GENERATIONS grew up knowing that one’s address could determine one’s destiny.

- PREVIN VEDAN

In the “have” enclaves, there were tree-lined roads and playgrounds. In the “have-not” townships, everyday life was a fight for basic dignity. Such was the pre-1994 housing landscape - a landscape deliberately designed to deny Black, Indian and Coloured people proper land ownership, and the simple human comfort of a secure home near life-sustaining amenities.

As we examine housing needs in South Africa we must confront an often ignored reality - chronic homelessness.

Chronic homelessness is not just, or only, or even about poverty or addiction - it is deeply linked to mental health. In city centers, like Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg, many of those sleeping on sidewalks are not simply “vagrants” or “drug addicts”.

Often, these are individuals living with mental and psychosocial disabilities, for whom housing cannot be addressed in isolation from healthcare and social support.

Even if provided accommodation, many would return to the streets, not out of choice, but because of the lack of mental health interventions and inclusive care systems.

South Africa, despite its progressive Constitution, does not have a single truly free homeless shelter.

All require payment - often R30 to R40 - a fee which is inaccessible to those with no income and no support.