Sometimes you just can’t help but wind down the window and dish out a few coins or a note whilst waiting for the light to turn green.

That doesn’t make you a bad person, of course, but according to the City of Cape Town it does make you a contributor to “chronic homelessness”.

Earlier this week the City again asked residents to stop handing money directly to homeless individuals, with mayoral committee member for safety, security and social services JP Smith issuing a statement.

Below via News24:

“We are constantly reminding residents about the harm in giving money directly to street people. While they may think they’re doing a good deed, in reality, it only discourages street people from accepting social services,” Smith said.

Giving handouts [is] nothing more than a plaster on a wound, requiring far greater care.”

He said the City, therefore, actively encouraged residents and visitors to donate directly to social work organisations working with the homeless.

“While members of the public will complain about the structures erected and activities undertaken by street people, they will often also continue to incentivise such behaviour through donations directly to the street person.”

Not everyone is in agreement, however – Hannes van der Merwe, from local non-profit organisation Straatwerk, says the City is taking a. “overly simplistic approach to a very complex problem”:

“There are people where giving would be detrimental, yes, but there are people that you just have no choice but to help there in that moment,” Van der Merwe told News24.

“The right solution to a homeless individual’s problem is usually complex and unique.”

Van der Merwe agreed with Smith that donations to social work organisations would help, but said residents shouldn’t simply shift their responsibility to these organisations.

“Come look at what happens [at Straatwerk], and see what happens here. Look at how we try to help people sustainably and do your bit. Organisations like ours have years of experience in dealing with homelessness.”

News24 also mention the Haven Night Shelter, an organisation that “offers homeless people up to 30 days free accommodation, after which they are required to sign up for a personal development plan to help with reintegration”.

Looking for a way to make a difference that doesn’t involve getting rid of your loose change at the robot? The Haven have an initiative called Buy A Bed, and it’s really rather simple:

Most homeless people know that they have to pay shelter fees starting from R12 per night. These shelter fees are not a goal it self but more that homeless adults learn to take responsibility again. Sometimes homeless people use that as an excuse not to come to the shelter. With the “Buy a bed” campaign we encourage the community to cover their shelter fees for the first 5 nights and help us to be a sustainable organisation. The campaign is especially for a homeless person with no income. We have more than 2500 new clients per year. So your help is highly appreciated.

Donate R60 right now and buy a homeless person a bed for five nights – click HERE and boom, too easy to make a difference.

Too lazy to fill out some card details? Cool, smash a quick SnapScan:

See, you’ve done some good. Now cut down on your water usage and you’re on the road to being a better person.

[source:news24]