The City of Cape Town plans to open a new 300‑bed Safe Space facility in Green Point, located under the fly‑over bridge on Ebenezer Road. This addition will complement the two existing Safe Space shelters at Culemborg in the city centre, which together provide 480 beds. Public comment on the Green Point proposal is open until 8 May.
Mayor Geordin Hill‑Lewis has announced that the City will allocate R77 million this year and R230 million over the next three years—a 62 % increase—to expand the Safe Space programme. The Western Cape Department of Social Development has also earmarked R33 million for shelters, and the City’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department will make R800 000 available through its Winter Readiness Programme for qualifying shelters that can temporarily increase capacity. This year, shelters serving adult couples, women and the queer community are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted by Friday, 14 April, and the Winter Readiness Programme will run from 5 May to 31 October 2023.
Several organisations working with homeless people have welcomed the expansion but stress the need for more shelters across the city, not just in the centre. Stephen Underwood of the U‑Turn Homeless Service Centre highlighted that over 14 000 people are living on the street while only about 3 500 beds exist, calling for smaller, community‑based spaces that keep people close to their support networks. He also warned that the City’s recent eviction orders reflect a punitive approach that could undermine progress.
Housing activist Daniellé Louw, representing Ndifuna Ukwazi, echoed concerns that shelter demand far exceeds supply and questioned where people will be placed without a comprehensive development plan. She cautioned that, without such planning, many will return to the streets.
Local leaders also voiced support for broader distribution of shelters. Patricia Van der Ross, Mayco Member for Community Services and Health, noted that the winter readiness programme, historically focused on street‑based individuals, will now invite non‑profit organisations serving other groups to apply, provided they meet the criteria. Leanne Porter, managing director of New Hope SA in Muizenberg, urged more safe spaces in the southern suburbs, where the need is acute.
Service providers emphasized that shelter alone is insufficient. Shaddie Valayadum, CEO of the Haven Night Shelter, described the “revolving door” of people who enter for a bed and meal in winter and then leave, underscoring the importance of work‑readiness training, addiction recovery programmes and reintegration support. After more than two decades working with homeless individuals in Simon’s Town, Valayadum affirmed the shelter’s inclusive mission to help people reconnect with families and communities.
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