Stephan de Beer Tshwane Leadership Foundation 22 September 2011

Changing face of homelessness What/who are we speaking of? Homelessness is everywhere Street homelessness  Economic  Situational  Chronic  “Near homeless” Institutional captivity / impotency  The language we use  Lack of coherent, integrated strategy & policy  Dependency versus empowerment models

 From stagnation to innovation  From exclusion to integration  From welfare to investment

analysis > mapping / strategic planning innovation > generating creative responses integration > radical, holistic integration investment > makes business sense / cost-effective beauty > ethic of aesthetics solution > long-term change / policy / replication 87% reduction in street homelessness in Times Square

Methodology of integration  An accurate registry of street homeless people per neighbourhood  Prioritize for housing those who are the most vulnerable, by means of a vulnerability index  Simplify the process for helping individuals secure permanent housing  Provide supportive programmes and services, e.g., mental health counselling, job training, financial management skills, to assist individuals with maintaining their new homes and creating stable and purposeful lives (

 Physical, economic & psycho-social-spiritual integration  Personal, family & community integration  Contributing as neighbour, citizen and tax-payer  Integrated approaches & models  Public-private-community partnerships  Inter-departmental cooperation

 Language of inclusion versus language of stereotyping  Asset-based approach versus need-based approach  From dependency to empowerment  Breaking cycles of poverty and violence  Real solutions versus temporary relief  Cost-effective, long-term change

Investing in on-going research responsive, innovative solutions: building models support programmes & services capacity-building & training staff, beneficiaries, officials, law enforcers, etc replication and scaling

 Counselling & support groups  Information & referrals  Access to baby care & pre-schools  Access to health care & HIV/AIDS support  Access to arts & recreation  Access to skills training & education  Access to economic opportunity  Opportunities to participate in the community as volunteers and participants