ITRUMP HOMELESS SURVEY – JULY 2009FINDINGS AND RECOMMENTATIONS

Presentation StructureFINDINGS of the Baseline Survey of the Homeless in iTrump area undertaken in June 09RECOMMENDATIONS based on the findings of the surveyPreliminary conclusions of Buildings Assessment

Homeless Survey IntroductionBaseline Survey commissioned by eThekwini Municipality in June 2009 - qualitative survey not census360 homeless people in the ITRUMP area interviewed Survey undertaken over 14 days and nights which included 2 weekendsField teams comprised experienced field enumerators accompanied by selected people who had previously lived on the streets

Interview locations across iTrump areaAll known feeding schemesPer night shelter facilitiesBeachfront area from Blue Lagoon - uShakaHighlighted streets in the ITRUMP areaProminent churchesWorkshop + Post Office area in City centreParks (including Albert Park)

SURVEY FINDINGS

Gender

Race

Nationalities

Duration on the Street

Education

Skills

Income Source

Food Source

Use of shelters

Cell phones

Services offered by the city

What the Homeless need from the City

KEY SURVEY FINDINGSJOBS and ACCOMODATION - access to affordable safe places to sleep and assistance with job linkage is the primary needSKILLS - are relatively high. While focus needs to continue on skills development and training, much more focus needs to given to recruitment and job linkage for this target groupCELL PHONES – the majority have no phones mainly due to lack of charging options and the cost of charging (it cost R5 to charge a cell on the street). The homeless unemployed need a physical location as a contact point to facilitate job linkage, because they are otherwise uncontactableABLUTIONS – findings indicate that majority of the homeless use the beach shower facilities. They need a place to clean up, wash clothes and look presentable (especially to improve employability)AMENITIES – access to lockers of other storage for personal belongings; access to electricity for cell phone charging

JOBS and ACCOMODATION - access to affordable safe places to sleep and assistance with job linkage is the primary need

SKILLS - are relatively high. While focus needs to continue on skills development and training, much more focus needs to given to recruitment and job linkage for this target group

CELL PHONES – the majority have no phones mainly due to lack of charging options and the cost of charging (it cost R5 to charge a cell on the street). The homeless unemployed need a physical location as a contact point to facilitate job linkage, because they are otherwise uncontactable

ABLUTIONS – findings indicate that majority of the homeless use the beach shower facilities. They need a place to clean up, wash clothes and look presentable (especially to improve employability)

AMENITIES – access to lockers of other storage for personal belongings; access to electricity for cell phone charging

SURVEY RECOMMENDATIONSDATABASE and REPORTINGRecommend further investigations and cross-tabulation be done on the current qualitative data (e.g. How many men, with ID’s, under 35 with a trade there are etc)On-going population of the newly developed web-based database and the development of integration links to the City’s OPPORTUNITES DATABASE to assist with job linkageADDITIONAL RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS There is no data available on the current shelters in the City (legal or illegal) or what services they provide to this target group (mattress, meal, shower, etc). This makes assistance, information sharing and referral difficult Further to the baseline survey, a census survey should be done to ascertain the number of homeless in the city

Recommend further investigations and cross-tabulation be done on the current qualitative data (e.g. How many men, with ID’s, under 35 with a trade there are etc)

On-going population of the newly developed web-based database and the development of integration links to the City’s OPPORTUNITES DATABASE to assist with job linkage

There is no data available on the current shelters in the City (legal or illegal) or what services they provide to this target group (mattress, meal, shower, etc). This makes assistance, information sharing and referral difficult

Further to the baseline survey, a census survey should be done to ascertain the number of homeless in the city

SURVEY RECOMMENDATIONS cont.PHYSICAL BUILDING IS REQUIRED TO FACILITATE JOB LINKAGEA place where business can easily locate an unemployed person to match their required vacancies – whether it is a unskilled or skilled, temporary or permanent resource that is required. The existing recruitment agencies do not cater for this vital target market – such as data capturers, welders, electricians, waitrons, domestic workers, brick layers, chefs, drivers, bike delivery people, book keepers, event workers, etc .A place where the unemployed can work on improving their employability – through job readiness training, character and soft skills training, psycho-social support, counselling and social skills development Where they have access to experienced people with phones, internet, networks, links with business, recruitment agencies, Chamber of Commerce, other labour opportunities

A place where business can easily locate an unemployed person to match their required vacancies – whether it is a unskilled or skilled, temporary or permanent resource that is required. The existing recruitment agencies do not cater for this vital target market – such as data capturers, welders, electricians, waitrons, domestic workers, brick layers, chefs, drivers, bike delivery people, book keepers, event workers, etc .

A place where the unemployed can work on improving their employability – through job readiness training, character and soft skills training, psycho-social support, counselling and social skills development

Where they have access to experienced people with phones, internet, networks, links with business, recruitment agencies, Chamber of Commerce, other labour opportunities

SURVEY RECOMMENDATIONS cont.PHYSICAL BUILDING TO FACILITATE JOB LINKAGE (cont.)A place where they get assistance to compile personal profiles + relevant CV’sA place where the unemployed can get easy access to information and assistance regarding all available services and programmes offered to them by Civil Society Organisations and Government (e.g. such as where they can access free dentistry and eye tests; current learnership information; information regarding Expanded Public Works Programme etc)A physical building will attract Corporate Social Investment and Enterprise Development spend from Business due to the exposure opportunity (Mr Price’s head of Red Cap Foundation has already endorsed the project idea and is willing for their commitment to be included in writing).

A place where they get assistance to compile personal profiles + relevant CV’s

A place where the unemployed can get easy access to information and assistance regarding all available services and programmes offered to them by Civil Society Organisations and Government (e.g. such as where they can access free dentistry and eye tests; current learnership information; information regarding Expanded Public Works Programme etc)

A physical building will attract Corporate Social Investment and Enterprise Development spend from Business due to the exposure opportunity (Mr Price’s head of Red Cap Foundation has already endorsed the project idea and is willing for their commitment to be included in writing).

SURVEY RECOMMENDATIONS cont.ACCOMMODATION – A PARTNERED LINKED SHELTER FACILITYA place where the registered unemployed homeless can find a safe place to sleep and affordable mealsA place where they have access to showers, toilets and laundry facilities (wash + iron) to increase their employment opportunitiesAccess to storage (lockers) Access to affordable cell charging facilitiesThe assistance to the employable homeless will highlight the minority in this target market who don’t want to work and intervention and rehabilitative action can be takenProvides affordable facility for emergency accommodationIt will provide a central facility to house ad-hoc and on street feeding schemes as well as those on main tourist routes

A place where the registered unemployed homeless can find a safe place to sleep and affordable meals

A place where they have access to showers, toilets and laundry facilities (wash + iron) to increase their employment opportunities

Access to storage (lockers)

Access to affordable cell charging facilities

The assistance to the employable homeless will highlight the minority in this target market who don’t want to work and intervention and rehabilitative action can be taken

Provides affordable facility for emergency accommodation

It will provide a central facility to house ad-hoc and on street feeding schemes as well as those on main tourist routes

CURRENT FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE CITYSchools : 1039Parks : 822Sports Fields : 340Community Halls : 193Clinics : 94Libraries : 84Hospitals : 30Police Stations : 65Swimming Pools : 40Fire Stations : 19Job Linkage Facilities :0Transitional Accommodation : 0

WAY FORWARDThe survey results indicate that the provision of a Job linkage Facility would have the greatest impact in terms of resolving the problems for this target community. The vision is for the significant reduction in the number of unemployed homeless, especially the youth (18-35), through the development of a ‘brick and mortar’ facility that genuinely grows people off the streets by providing a home base for job linkage . This has already been successfully happening in a ‘virtual’ space but could be much more effective on a larger scale in a physical location. This should be partnered with a transitional shelter and services facility in close proximity. The Architecture Department was asked by iTrump to assist with a feasibility study of the old Table Tennis Club Building and Strollers. This work has been undertaken in parallel to the Homeless Survey, and will be concluded with the presentation of a business plan. The preliminary findings of that study are presented here.

CITY ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENTBUILDINGS FEASIBILILTY STUDYPRELIMINARY FINDINGS and RECOMMENDATIONS

TWO POSSIBLE BUILDINGS AVAILABLE:Table Tennis Club Building (TTC)StrollersPOSSIBLE SCENARIOS INVESTIGATED: TTC as Job Centre - IDEALStrollers as Transitional Shelter - IDEALTTC as Transitional Shelter – NOT FEASIBLEStrollers as Job Centre + Transitional Shelter – NOT IDEAL

BRIEF - JOB (OPPORTUNITES) CENTREBusiness Hours Operation (8am – 5pm)Reception and RegistrationInfo Area : notice boards, audio visual and live presentations, passive training and ‘info ambassadors’Skills assessment (cubicles)Counselling and psycho-social support (cubicles)Wellness info areaLarge Training roomReception for BusinessBDO(Business Development Officers) offSatellite Bank AgenciesPublic sector services: Home Affairs, Labour, Health, Housing, SAPS

BRIEF – TRANSITIONAL SHELTER AND SERVICES CENTRE24 Hours operation Reception and RegistrationFood outletShowers and ToiletsLaundry facilities (washing and ironing)Lockers and StorageCell phone charging (free via solar)Short term accommodation (linked to Jobs database)Rooms and Emergency Shelter Covered area for feeding schemesCounselling and Psychosocial support Centre)Wellness Clinic (counselling/VCT)SAPS

BUILDING ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

SUMMARY CONCLUSIONS OF ASSESSMENTUNFEASIBLE SCENARIOThe Table Tennis Club Building is not suitable as an emergency shelter, mainly because the building configuration is inappropriate – spaces and volumes are too deep. It would also be a waste of such a well located building to use it for a shelter.Although it would not be impossible to accommodate the Opportunities Centre at Strollers - it could be accommodated on the Ground and First floors, with shelter accommodation above, this is not ideal. The location is wrong, the image is wrong, and there are technical problems which would require massive re-modelling of the building to resolve. Having both facilities in the same building prolongs dependence and works against ‘graduation’. A large capital spend on a building that is a compromise does not make sense.

SUMMARY CONCLUSIONS OF ASSESSMENT (cont.)RECOMMENDED SCENARIOThe Table Tennis Club Building is almost ideally configured for the Opportunities Centre, and although a large capital spend will be required, the bulk of that spend is will be for repair and refurbishment, which will be necessary for any future use of the building because it is in such a run down state. Strollers was purpose designed as transitional accommodation, and is thus ideally configured for the Shelter and Services Centre. Some minor alterations, and landscaping are required. The current financials of Strollers will need to be reviewed - the current rental at Strollers is completely unaffordable for this target market. (R63pn/R1800pm vs. average cost of inner city shelter being R10.12pn/R303.60pm)

SUMMARY SCOPE OF WORK: TABLE TENNIS CLUB BUILDINGNew roof including structure and ceilingsNew floor to ground floor, repair first floorComplete refurbishment of superstructure (walls, doors, windows). Comply with AMAFA requirementsStrip out and replace all ablutionsRe-plumb entire buildingRe-wire entire building – incl. allowance for networkingNew mezzanine floor New partitioningLandscapingPerimeter wall/fence and automated gates

SUMMARY SCOPE OF WORK: STROLLERS BUILDINGAlterations to ground floor for Service Centre accommodationSecurity for ground floorNew Screen walls and gatesNew covered ‘feeding scheme’ areaHard and soft landscapingNew signageRe-paint whole building

CONTRAINTS TO GO AHEADApproval for use of appropriate buildings?Budget for required capital works?Start-up operating capital?Operating budget – sustainability under investigation

SOME STRATEGIES TO ENSURE ONGOING SUSTAINABILITY CSI and Enterprise Development Spend via appropriate opportunity packaging – branding exposure and benefit of section 18a certificates for tax rebates Income generation via fees for access to Employee Database to the private sectorIncome generation via fees for Psychometric Testing (by skills assessors) to private sector Income generation via fees for Clearance and Accreditation Checks - Criminal, Credit and Educational to private sectorIncome generation via fee from school visits for career guidance and subject choice directionIncome generation via sales of advertising space on the web-based Employee DatabaseRental from satellite Bank agenciesRental from Private Sector and Civil Society Organisation tenants

Questions

OPERATING BUDGET REQUIREMENTSRECOMMENDED REVIEW OF STROLLERS OPERATING BUDGETCurrent rental per night at Strollers = R 63,00, for a bed in a shared room (i.e. R1800/month). Access to storage or showers is extra (R4,00 per shower). No cooking facilities available. No meals offered.Current average rental per night at Inner City shelter = R10,12. Some shelters offer a meal for R 12 – R15 extra. Ablution facilities are often inadequate but are free.Current rental for an inner city social housing unit = approx R 750/month (for lowest end qualifying income group). This is usually for at least 2-3 people. Kitchen, laundry and bathroom facilities included. Water and electricity costs as per eThekwini tariff. Current rental for an inner city private rental unit = R1800 to R2400 If Strollers is to be developed as a shelter for the proposed target market, the rental will have to be brought in line with comparable accommodation. It is currently under-used, mainly because it is much too expensive for the target market. Note: proposals for the ‘re-development’ of Strollers will have to be work shopped with the Housing Dept. It is proposed that there is sufficient space to accommodate the required Opportunities Centre linked accommodation as well as other emergency shelter accommodation.