The Streetscapes-Outreach team recently came to the rescue of several people from the streets in our area.
DPVwatch members reported an elderly homeless person who could barely walk in the pouring rain, outside a house in Gardenia Avenue. Alerted by DPV Outreach, Streetscapes were on site within an hour and took the person to a nearby clinic where they were given medication for an injured leg.
Later in the day, the person was admitted to hospital, and reunited with family.
DPVO also received a report of a homeless person in a wheelchair at the intersection of Roeland and Mackenzie Streets. Streetscapes went to investigate and found that the person was a long-standing resident of Stroompie, who had lost many of their possessions in shack fires, and is now disabled. A place to stay was found for them at Streetscapes Kuilsriver farm, where the person was happy to be reunited with their dog as well as friends from the past.
The Streetscapes Outreach team has been working over a longer period with the people who frequent the four-way stop on Upper Buitenkant Street, in particular a couple whose behaviour causes problems for the restaurants and shops in that area. With the help of Peter Cookson from the City’s Street People’s Unit and the Department of Social Development, places were found for them in the Culemborg Safe Space. They may return to the area in the day but the Outreach team will try to ensure that they sleep at the Safe Space where they can leave their possessions during the day, and use the ablution facilities and other services. Their transition from the streets is likely to take some time but we are pleased that they have taken this first step.
