U-Turn Homeless Ministries stands as a beacon of hope for many of the city's homeless population. However, despite their noble efforts, the organisation faces significant challenges in managing the increasing demand for shelter and support.
Stephen Underwood, communications officer at U-Turn, provides insight into the current state and the hurdles they encounter.
U-Turn operates one safe space accommodation and four transitional houses, with a total capacity of 92 beds. Despite this, the need for shelter far exceeds the available spots.
“Our shelters are pretty much constantly full,” Stephen said. To manage the overflow, U-Turn supports 174 clients through third-party referrals to other shelter operators. Yet, the constant turnover and the delay in organising referrals leave many without immediate shelter.
While the City of Cape Town has provided some resources, the support has been limited.
“The city did provide some food and cleansing products at the start of winter,” Stephen acknowledges. However, he notes that these resources are quickly used up due to the large number of people U-Turn serves daily. “In terms of additional funding or anything like that, no, we haven’t received anything extra,” he says.
One of the most pressing challenges U-Turn faces is the broader societal impact of homelessness. Stephen says, “Because the shelters are all full, we have to turn people away, which means more people are sleeping on the street rather than going through our programmes and getting off the street.”
This situation not only affects the individuals but also has a substantial financial impact on society.
“Homelessness costs us around R750 million a year,” he cites from the Cost of Homelessness in Cape Town report.
Despite these challenges, U-Turn remains resilient. During a recent week of storms, they temporarily increased their capacity from 35 to over 100 spaces using a local church hall. This effort allowed them to assist more people in dire need.
“We’ve actually had 26 from that cohort now ready to enroll into our phase-two drug and alcohol rehab part of our programme,” Stephen says.
However, this success also brings new challenges. “The challenge is now building the capacity for such a large group suddenly coming through to phase two.”
Stephen’s reflections highlight the critical need for more resources and support to address homelessness effectively.
“If we had more shelter available, we would see more people get off the street and into developmental programs,” he emphasises.
The story of U-Turn is one of dedication and resilience, showcasing the profound impact that a committed organisation can have, even amid significant challenges.
IOL