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The Gauteng Social Development Department only provides funding for shelters catering to a mere 240 homeless people in the province. Conservative estimates indicate that there are between 100 000 and 200 000 people in Gauteng without a fixed shelter or home, the largest number residing in Johannesburg.

Social Development MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza also unrealistically expects these four shelters in Johannesburg and the West Rand to cater for in excess of 200 000 people scattered across the province in cases of emergency such as severe weather.

This is hopelessly inadequate, but the MEC seems to disagree. In response to my question the MEC instead insists that the department will have to commission a study to determine whether it is sufficient for the needs of the province.

Shelters with a capacity of 240 cannot realistically provide for more than 200 000 homeless people. This is common sense.
The DA will urge the MEC to conduct an urgent needs assessment in the province and ensure that long-term solutions are found to address the growing rate of homelessness in Gauteng.
A proper scientific study must also be commissioned by the department to determine the causes of homelessness in Gauteng and the most effective means for assisting the homeless and reintegrating them into society.
It is concerning that all attempts to address homelessness in the province are based on temporary relief and no permanent solution exists to get people off the streets. Current remedies are temporary shelters and halfway houses offered by NGOs in the province.
With the rate of urbanisation and influx into Gauteng it is expected that homelessness will continue to grow unless targeted interventions and programmes are piloted by the provincial government in conjunction with municipalities across the province.
Without proper intervention the province could face a humanitarian crisis in the future, as demonstrated by the extreme cold and snow this winter.