Emergency Accommodation

Most important right now: find a safe place to sleep tonight. If you are leaving abuse, call the GBV Command Centre on 0800 428 428 for help to find a shelter. If you are in danger, call SAPS on 10111, or 112 from a mobile.

Maybe you have been told to leave, your home burnt or flooded, or you cannot stay where you are because it is not safe. Not knowing where you will sleep tonight is frightening. You are not the only one, and there are places that can help.

What is happening

Emergency accommodation in South Africa is a patchwork. There is no single number that books you a bed, so it helps to know the main types:

• GBV shelters and safe houses for women, children and sometimes men leaving abuse. Their addresses are kept private for safety. The GBV Command Centre, police, social workers and hospitals can refer you.
• Night shelters for adults with nowhere to sleep, run by NGOs, churches and some municipalities. Many open in the late afternoon and have rules about time, alcohol and belongings.
• Disaster help after a fire, flood or storm, through your municipality and ward councillor, often with community halls and relief organisations.
• Family, friends and faith communities. For many people this is the first and safest option for a few nights.

A social worker from the Department of Social Development, a hospital or an NGO can often open doors faster than you can alone.

Signs to notice

• You have nowhere safe to sleep tonight.
• The place you are staying is not safe because of violence or threats.
• You have been locked out or told to leave with no notice.
• Your home was damaged by fire, flood or storm.
• You have children with you and nowhere to take them.
• You are sleeping in a car, at a taxi rank or outside.

30-second self-check

Answer yes or no. If you answer yes to the first question, stop here and get help now: call SAPS on 10111, or 112 from a mobile.

• Are you in danger where you are right now?
• Do you have nowhere to sleep tonight?
• Are children or an older or sick person with you?
• Are you leaving someone who hurts or threatens you?
• Have you run out of money for food or transport?
• Are you feeling hopeless or thinking of ending your life?

0-1 yes: If your yes was the first question, call 10111 now. Otherwise you have some time. Use it to line up a place and a backup, and keep your documents with you.
2-3 yes: You need a place soon. Phone or visit a shelter, social worker or trusted person today, not tomorrow. If you are leaving abuse, call 0800 428 428.
4 or more yes: Please get help now. If you are in danger call 10111. If you are leaving abuse call 0800 428 428. If you are thinking of ending your life call the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0800 567 567.

What you can do next

• Today: Make a list of three people or places you could sleep tonight, and contact the first one. Keep your ID, phone, charger, medicine and children's documents with you.
• This week: Speak to a social worker at a Department of Social Development office, clinic, hospital or NGO about a longer stay. If you were locked out by a landlord, get legal advice: a lockout without a court order is unlawful.
• This month: Work on a next step: family, a room to rent, or a longer-term shelter programme. Apply for any SASSA grant you may qualify for.
• At a shelter, ask: How long can I stay? Can my children stay with me? What must I bring? What time must I arrive?
• If you are sleeping outside, stay near other people, in lit places, and keep your phone charged where you can.

Your tool

Housing Crisis Check - a short check of how urgent your housing situation is, with the next step that fits, from tonight's shelter to legal help about an eviction.

When to get professional help

Get help right away if you are in danger, have children with you and nowhere to go, or are feeling hopeless. A social worker can help with shelter, food and grants at the same time.
Who can help: shelter NGO, social worker, emergency services, Legal Aid SA, counsellor

Getting help in South Africa

• GBV Command Centre (0800 428 428, 24/7): support and referral to shelters for people leaving abuse.
• SAPS (10111) or 112 from a mobile: if you are in danger. Police can also help you reach a place of safety.
• Department of Social Development: social workers can refer you to shelters and apply for Social Relief of Distress with SASSA.
• Your municipality and ward councillor: for help after fires, floods and storms.
• Legal Aid SA (legal-aid.co.za): free legal help if you were evicted or locked out unlawfully.
• Cleared Mind 24-hour Careline (0800 212 146): to talk through options when you feel stuck.