Haven Night Shelter Retreat expands capacity to support more homeless persons

The Haven Night Shelter in Retreat unveiled its new expanded space on World Homeless Day on Friday, October 10.

The expansion was made possible by a R12.7 million contribution from the City of Cape Town, enabling the Haven Night Shelter to increase its capacity to 120 beds. The beds are divided into six pods of 20 each, and the project also includes new men’s and women’s ablution facilities and a dining hall.

Previously, the Retreat shelter could accommodate only 104 beds. With the expansion, the total capacity has now increased to 224 beds.

More than 50 people attended the unveiling, which included members of the Haven's board, Cape Town mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, the City's mayoral committee member for community services and health, Francine Higham, Sub-council 18 manager, Kevin Southgate, Ward 110 councillor, Shanen Rossouw, and various other city officials.

Mayor Hill-Lewis said the addition of 120 beds means that the Haven will be equipped to help more homeless people off the streets.

“It is a great day and more positive progress in our ongoing efforts across the city, to help get more people off the streets,” he said. 

Ms Higham said, besides the city’s partnership to expand Haven shelters, the City’s Safe Spaces currently offer more than 900 beds across the CBD, Bellville, and Durbanville facilities.

“Together with our partner shelters, the total available beds across our network of care sites currently stand at 1 308,” she said. 

The Haven Night Shelter CEO,  Pastor Shadrick Valayadum said: “This expansion will look at people who are living illegally on the streets, who are causing havoc because of drugs and substance abuse."

Mr Valayadum said some of their pods will be used for homeless people who have been evicted from the street, while other pods will be a second phase for homeless people who are finding work, and who they can keep there for a further six months.

He said the streets are crowded with homeless people, whether they are standing at traffic lights, in parks, or in the mountains.

“We are able to create a space to bring them in, so that our social workers can work with them, to reintegrate and upskill them so that they can get employed,” he said.

A resident of the Retreat shelter, Gail Southgate said she stayed in Grassy Park, and when her parents died, it was like "the end of her world.”

Ms Southgate said she lived with her brother in her family's house until he sold it, and she found herself on the street. A friend of hers brought her to the shelter.

“Coming to the shelter became my whole life, and I worked hard on my health and well-being,” she said.

Ms Southgate has been at the shelter since April, and she is currently preparing for the Haven Night Shelter’s first-ever ballroom dance event, Dignity in Motion, which will take place at the District Six Homecoming Centre next month.

For more information visit Haven Night Shelter's website.