The Denis Hurley Centre has raised alarms over the increasing number of homeless individuals in Durban Central, following a series of recent raids that have seen hundreds of people removed from illegally occupied spaces.
Raymond Perrier, from the centre, attributes the growing homelessness crisis to widespread unemployment and accuses the government of not doing enough to address the issue. “The plans by eThekwini are simply inadequate. While there are some small initiatives offering jobs and training programs, these efforts are minuscule compared to the resources available in eThekwini,” Perrier said.
He further criticized the city's approach, stating that authorities are merely relocating the homeless rather than providing long-term solutions. "They raid one area, move people to another, and then raid that area days later. It’s a costly cycle that ultimately makes life harder for the homeless, who often lose their belongings and vital documents like IDs, making it even more difficult for them to access work or training opportunities," Perrier added.
The Denis Hurley Centre continues to advocate for more effective measures to address the root causes of homelessness and provide sustainable support for those in need.