Homelessness and Emergency Shelter

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

You may be sleeping in a car, on a friend's floor, at a taxi rank, or you may know you will have nowhere to go in a few days. This happens to more people than you think, and it can happen to anyone after a job loss, a family fight or a break-up. Tonight comes first. The rest can wait until tomorrow.

What is happening

Homelessness is not only sleeping on the street. It also means moving from couch to couch, sleeping in a car, or staying somewhere unsafe because there is nowhere else.

In South Africa, emergency beds come from a mix of places: night shelters run by NGOs and churches, municipal shelters in some cities, and special shelters for women and children leaving abuse. Most need you to arrive early in the evening. Some ask for a small fee or for your ID, but many will still help if you have nothing.

A social worker is often the key that opens the door. Social workers at the Department of Social Development, at hospitals, at clinics and at NGOs can phone shelters for you and can help you apply for SASSA Social Relief of Distress. You do not need money to see a social worker.

Signs to notice

• You do not know where you will sleep tonight or in the next week
• You are moving between friends and family with no fixed place
• You are sleeping somewhere that does not feel safe
• You have children with you and nowhere stable to stay
• You have stopped eating properly or taking medicine because of the move
• You feel hopeless or ashamed and do not want anyone to know

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 safe to sleep tonight?
• Are children or an older person with you?
• Are you out of food or money for the next few days?
• Do you need medicine you cannot get right now?
• Have you had thoughts of ending your life?

0-1 yes: If your yes was the first or last question, get help now: SAPS on 10111, or the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0800 567 567. Otherwise you have a little time. Use it to plan where you will go next.
2-3 yes: Things are tight. Today, go to a social worker or a shelter before dark and bring your ID if you have it.
4 or more yes: You need help today, not later. Call the Cleared Mind 24-hour Careline on 0800 212 146 so someone can help you find a bed. If anyone is in danger, call 10111 or 112.

What you can do next

• Today: Go to a night shelter, a clinic or a hospital before dark and ask for the social worker. Keep your ID, phone and medicine on your body, not in a bag you might put down.
• This week: Ask a social worker to help you apply for SASSA Social Relief of Distress, and to check if you or your children qualify for a grant. Charge your phone wherever you can.
• This month: Work on a longer plan: a room, a backyard flat or staying with family while you get income. Ask the shelter about skills programmes and job help.
• If you are leaving abuse, a GBV shelter is safer than a general shelter. The GBV Command Centre on 0800 428 428 can help place you and your children.
• If you are unwell, go to your nearest clinic or hospital. Emergency care cannot be refused because you have no money or address.

Your tool

Housing Crisis Check - a short set of questions that shows where you stand tonight and your next safe step, like a shelter, a social worker or an emergency line.

When to get professional help

Get help straight away if you are sleeping somewhere unsafe, if you have children with you, if you are ill, or if you are having thoughts of ending your life. Losing your home is a huge shock. Feeling low, numb or ashamed is normal, and talking to someone can make the next step easier.
Who can help: social worker, shelter or NGO, counsellor, emergency services

Getting help in South Africa

• Department of Social Development: social workers can refer you to shelters and help with Social Relief of Distress.
• SASSA (sassa.gov.za): Social Relief of Distress and grants. Check current amounts at sassa.gov.za.
• Night shelters and faith-based shelters: many towns have at least one. A clinic, church or police station usually knows where.
• GBV Command Centre (0800 428 428): 24-hour help to find a shelter if you are leaving abuse.
• Cleared Mind 24-hour Careline (0800 212 146): someone to talk to and help you plan your next step.