Update

KNYSNA NEWS - Efforts are underway to establish a permanent shelter for Knysna's homeless. 

"This is an intricate matter with many aspects that must be considered," said Councillor Elmarie Maxim, a member of the mayoral committee for community services in a municipal press release earlier this week. 

"We are tackling the challenge with a multi-faceted approach to ensure that we reach the best possible outcomes without wasting valuable time."

Six distinct work streams are being worked on concurrently to facilitate their co-dependent yet individual success and to avoid the delays that a consecutive approach would inevitably cause.

"The areas we are focusing on, together with the Knysna Homeless Forum and the Knysna Homeless Network, include the establishment of a temporary safe space, security, the social care for and economic development of participating individuals, administration and infrastructure support and the development and implementation of an advocacy and educational programme," said Maxim.

She said they know that simply providing shelter is not enough and that a holistic, integrated approach is needed. Reintegration into a stable social structure is the end goal, along with suitable skills training to reintroduce individuals into the workforce and local economy. They also have to consider the safety and security of all residents and plan accordingly.

"Obviously we cannot conquer this task alone," Maxim said. "The Knysna Homeless Network has been established to bring together different organisations, businesses and individuals who have knowledge and experience in different fields, but who have important contributions to make towards resolving the overarching issue of homelessness.

"The temporary safe space project is currently in the public participation phase. It is but one of many steps on the journey of creating a permanent solution to the problem. We are committed to completing that journey with our stakeholders, and ask the public and private sector to support us along the way."

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