R450 000 has been raised to start a homeless support centre in Wynberg, but more funding is needed to make it a reality, says U-Turn, a non-profit organisation that helps street people turn their lives around.

Establishing the centre, to be run by U-Turn, at the Church Street Methodist Church has been part of a plan to address homelessness and addiction in the suburb and has the support of the church, the Wynberg Community Action Network (CAN) and ward councillor Emile Langenhoven.

According to a 2020 study by U-Turn and other non-profit organisations Khulisa Social Solutions and Mould, Empower and Serve (MES), Wynberg is one of Cape Town's top hotspots for homelessness and addiction.

“Although the most recent study is five years old, there is much anecdotal evidence that suggests that the situation has not changed. In fact, engagement with our clients indicates that it is a social challenge that has grown worse post-Covid,” says Andrew Soren, of U-Turn.

U-Turn runs a multi-phase rehabilitation and training programme that starts by offering a meal, a shower, a change of clothes and refuge supported by counsellors and social workers.

More than 90% of those who graduate from the programme, after six months, have stable accommodation, are full-time employed and drug-free, Mr Soren says.

“Our performance last year was very close to 100% across the board. It’s important to acknowledge that each individual has their own journey out of homelessness and into recovery, so it is very difficult to attach a definite timeframe to this process. U-Turn’s model, however, is based on a 24-month programme, from the date that the client enters into rehab until they graduate and become full-time employed.”

A key part of the programme was that it was outcome-based, not time-based, and supported each participant according to their own development, said Mr Soren.

“During this time, they will have the support of a multidisciplinary team of experienced professionals supporting them through the various phases of their journey. Our services and monitoring extend to six months post-graduation. We hope to be able to extend this support in the future to 12 months. This, however, is funding dependent.”

While grateful for the support the plan for the centre has received so far, Mr Soren said they wanted to raise the first year’s operational expenses in advance before giving the project the green light.

“We are looking to raise in the region of R1.3 million before we can proceed. The focus is definitely on the sustainability of this project. This may come mainly through recurring donations, and to already have around 16% of the running costs committed through monthly donations is a good start.”

According to a Wynberg U-Turn report, R449 443 has been raised. Over 31 pledges have been made by 28 individuals, two trusts and one corporate, and three monthly recurring pledges have been made to the value of R16 000.

Ward councillor Emile Langenhoven said: “I have set a personal target for the U-Turn grand opening in Wynberg for June 2025. It will take an enormous amount of work and effort, especially since there are only three of us working on raising these funds, namely, Nancy Krisch, of Wynberg CAN, Andrew Soden of U-Turn and myself.”

A U-turn homeless support centre in Wynberg complemented other initiatives to address homelessness and drug addiction, he said.

“I am also engaging with the Haven Night Shelter who will see an expansion of their bed space from 65 to 130 in the next two years, and which will form an integral part of the overall initiative. The Haven will be the ‘night centre’ while U-Turn will provide services during the day.

“I have also started an initiative last year with civil society organisations and the City of Cape Town, which is ongoing, and which has been called the Homeless Alliance. It seeks to create a network of organisations to form a value chain of services for the homeless, drug addicted and other vulnerable groups. The intention is to form a referral network for vulnerable people who regularly fall through the cracks and find themselves destitute and on the streets,” Mr Langenhoven said.

Contact Andrew Soren at 072 520 3948 or andrew.soden@homeless.org.za to learn more about the initiative.