Greg’s Birthday

A report from 2020 estimated upwards of 14.000 people find themselves homeless in Cape Town. The economic consequences of the Covid19 pandemic have more than likely added to this number, and one could fear that the current rise in fuel and food pricing, which might only be at its beginning, will force more Capetonians to leave what they now call home.

There are simply not enough services to deal with the suffering of this stigmatized and marginalized group. As homelessness is a complex phenomenon and so often misunderstood there is no single solution. The Hope Exchange take a holistic and comprehensive approach.

They facilitate various touchpoints which address basic and essential human needs such as being able to wash, get a meal, and have one’s health status checked and cared for. While attending to those needs, they also further encourage and cater for taking the opportunities for getting social care counselling, attend life skills training lessons and be referred to addiction rehabilitation if applicable and/or first-phased shelter.

The Hope Exchange does also receive referrals back from partnering organizations with suitable candidates for becoming residents in their second-phase shelter, the Geoff Burton House. The residence can accommodate 40 men. They have all managed to find employment and now need a safe and affordable place to stay where they still receive social support and structure while they take the last few steps to become a fully independent member of society.