The Stellenbosch Municipality will for the time being continue to house the homeless in a temporary facility on the Van der Stel Sports Grounds once the country is moved down from level five to level four of lockdown on Friday, 1 May.
Homeless residents are currently being housed in one of the buildings on the Van der Stel Sports Grounds, said Stuart Grobbelaar, Stellenbosch Municipality’s communications manager.
“This limits the movements of homeless people and thus, the risk of contracting and spreading the virus,” he said.
The Stellenbosch Municipality will continue to house the homeless in its temporary facility once the country is moved down from level five to level four of lockdown on Friday, 1 May. PHOTO: Wikipedia/HelenOnline
All homeless people who arrive at the sports grounds are also screened and taken to a hospital if needed, said Grobbelaar.
There are also measures in place to ensure that homeless residents do not wander off and potentially expose themselves to the virus.
According to Grobbelaar, 24/7 security is on site to protect the inhabitants of the facility.
Stellenbosch University (SU) also stepped in to help, donating essentials for use at the temporary shelter, said dr Leslie van Rooi, senior director at the university’s Division of Social Impact and Transformation.
“SU has supplied 60 mattresses and 50 blankets to support the municipality at the Van der Stel temporary shelter,” said Van Rooi.
Homeless residents in the shelter receive three meals a day and have access to clean ablution facilities, said Grobbelaar.
According to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch Municipality, 24/7 security is on site to protect the inhabitants of the facility. PHOTO: Facebook/Stellenbosch Municipality
Relief for existing shelters
Although homeless shelters in Stellenbosch have been working under lockdown, they are currently at capacity and operate with limited space and resources, said Grobbelaar.
“[T]hus the need for us to step in with this temporary shelter,” he said.
The Stellenbosch Night Shelter said that they have remained open and are continuing to care for the homeless.
“[A]ll our clients are in the shelter [during] the lockdown,” said Denise Paulse, manager at the Stellenbosch Night Shelter.
The non-profit organisation commended the municipality’s efforts at protecting some of society’s most vulnerable.
“The Stellenbosch Municipality is rendering a very good service to homeless people on the streets during lockdown,” Paulse said.
Read more MatieMedia lockdown stories here.