By Natasha Prince
The city council, non-governmental organisations and civil society groups have joined forces in an attempt to reintegrate Cape Town's homeless back into society.
The city's "Network of Care" aims to co-ordinate and network local NGOs in Ward 57, including the Woodstock, Observatory, Walmer Estate, University Estate, Salt River and Mowbray areas, to activate the plan to rehabilitate and take responsibility for street dwellers.
Cornelia Finch from the Social Development Facilitation Unit said the point of the project was to see communities taking responsibility for destitute people.
"We are asking communities to take part in the initiative, which is the city's strategy of working on the streets with communities to prevent more people from coming on to the streets," Finch said.
A meeting was held to discuss the way forward. Among the role players who attended were SAPS Woodstock and Mowbray, NGOs, community workers, field workers, civic associations, Community Policing Forums (CPFs), faith-based organisations and the Education Department.
The meeting was the first of many to determine logistics and to work out how City Social Development can assist and support service delivery.
Avril Parker of the Network said the programmes would be launched in other communities at a later stage.
"We need all the community support we can get, because the City of Cape Town cannot do it on our own," she added.
Various NGOs, including the Haven Night shelter, Favour SA, St Ann's Home, Percy Bartlett House, CPF, law enforcement and the Multi-purpose Centre, among other groups, have joined the project.