Cape Town’s Temporary Shelter Hailed an Incredible Success

Guests settle in for the night on the first night of the Safe Sleeping Zone. Photo Credit: Supplied by Liam Abrahams (Omnicom)

Thanks to the Safe Sleeping Zone pilot in Cape Town, nearly 5,000 people experiencing chronic homelessness found a safe bed for the night in winter, with 49 successfully returning home or reuniting with family.

Cape Town, South Africa (08 November 2026) – Nearly 5,000 people experiencing chronic homelessness found a safe, warm bed for the night this winter, thanks to a temporary shelter space piloted by the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) and The Haven Night Shelter – demonstrating the need for overnight accommodation in the city.

Operating from 1 June to 30 September 2026, the Safe Sleeping Zone provided a secure and dignified sanctuary, recording 4,907 overnight stays and helping 49 individuals return home or reunite with their families.

Among those supported was a woman from KwaZulu-Natal who was safely reunited with her family after receiving shelter and care while recovering from a hospital stay. In another instance, a young man who stayed at the facility for over a week secured a job as a cleaner and subsequently moved into a home of his own.

“We have been blown away by the incredible response to the project, the aim of which was to improve quality of life and foster a more inclusive CBD during the harsh winter months,” says Tara Gerardy-Bissolati, CCID Social Development manager.

“Our average occupancy since launching was 73,7 %, meaning that the project answered a real need in the CBD community.”

Beds with pillows and blankets ready at the Safe Sleeping Zone

Located next to The Haven Night Shelter in District Six, the Safe Sleeping Zone provided a welcoming space for at least 60 people each night as part of the CCID Social Development’s Winter Readiness Programme.

Shaddie Valayadum, CEO of The Haven Night Shelter, emphasises that the initiative was about much more than offering a place to sleep. It offered guests a chance to connect directly with social work staff, who helped clients build a personalised plan and find a practical pathway out of homelessness.

“The Safe Sleeping Zone was never meant to be a final destination, and we are pleased with the results that it has achieved. The Haven is grateful to CCID for the partnership and joint vision in getting homeless and rough sleepers off the street,” says Valayadum.

Throughout the pilot, the initiative recorded 494 individual support interactions.

“Practical support for chronically homeless individuals is vital, as they are often excluded from existing facilities due to strict eligibility criteria,” Gerardy-Bissolati explains.

“Through ongoing engagement by our Night Outreach Team and Social Development staff, clients were supported to access relevant services and, where appropriate, pursue relocation or placement into longer-term accommodation.”

Safe Sleeping Zone bed set up with a blanket and a pack of basic toiletries

Demand for the space remained steady throughout the winter. The Night Outreach Team routinely met individuals arriving in the city centre from other areas and provinces with nowhere to stay, having exhausted all other options.

“The Safe Sleeping Zone provided a much-needed safe, structured, and welcoming space, with many people experiencing greater stability and safety than they would have on the street,” says Gerardy-Bissolati.

CCID CEO Tasso Evangelinos says the project builds on more than two decades of social-development interventions in the city centre. He adds that while it was a targeted response to immediate winter needs, there is clear potential for growth.

“Our hope is that its success as a pilot project will pave the way for expansion. This is because it is about creating continuity of care for people experiencing homelessness and opportunities for people to rebuild confidence, gain experience, develop professionally and move towards greater stability – and this is something that is needed all the time, including outside the harsh winter months,” concludes Evangelinos.