Cape Town’s Homeless Struggle: Residents of Safe Space One Shelter Speak Out Against Degrading Conditions
In the midst of intense storms and harsh winds that have battered Cape Town for the past week, residents of the Safe Space One shelter under the Culemborg Bridge on the Cape Town Foreshore are speaking out against the poor and degrading living conditions at the site.
The shelter, established by the City of Cape Town to provide temporary accommodation for people living on the streets, is managed by an external service provider and receives an annual budget of R8,500,000. However, residents claim that the conditions are affecting their health and wellbeing.
"The beds are soaked, the floors are soaked. Your clothing as well because there’s nowhere to put your clothing — it all gets wet. Everything’s damp, cold," said one resident of Safe Space One.
The shelter’s makeshift setup, consisting of corrugated iron roofs on poles with no walls, leaves residents exposed to the elements. Some occupants have taken matters into their own hands, erecting their own walls using materials such as… to create some semblance of privacy and shelter.
In contrast, Safe Space Two, located next to Safe Space One, has prefabricated buildings with solid walls and ceilings. Residents of Safe Space One say that their shelter is more rudimentary, highlighting the stark disparity in living conditions.
As the city continues to grapple with the challenges of providing adequate housing for its homeless population, the plight of Safe Space One’s residents serves as a stark reminder of the need for improved living conditions and support services.
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