This metro has the largest homeless population in SA
A Statistics South Africa (SSA) report has revealed which South African metro has the largest homeless population.
Based on the Profile of Homeless Persons in South Africa (2022) report, which was released in February this year, the Tshwane metro has the largest population of homeless people in South Africa.
The report showed that Tshwane had the largest proportion of homelessness at 18.1%, followed by the City of Johannesburg at 15.6%.
According to Pretoria Rekord, Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya has promised to resolve the homelessness issue by revitalising the inner city of Pretoria.
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"The city's current efforts to revitalise the inner city by tackling dilapidated buildings form part of broader efforts to resolve the homelessness crisis," said Moya.
The report also showed how homelessness has increased countrywide since 1996.
In 1996, homelessness stood at 13,135, and currently, the national number has reached 55,719.
Furthermore, the report showed that the homeless population was predominantly male (70.1%).
The share of homeless youth and adults was 44% and 45%, respectively, while children and elderly people accounted for 5% and 7%, respectively.
Causes of homelessness were also recorded in the SSA report and included economic reasons (unemployment and lack of income), family matters (disputes, death, and dissolution), and substance abuse as the main causes.
Pretoria Rekord also reported that the Statistician-General told Parliament in October 2023 that the 2022 Census had an undercount of 31%.
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"Although the homeless population constitutes less than 1% of the total population, the upward trend in homelessness depicts a phenomenon that has become a common, rather than an exceptional, experience for many South Africans over the last three decades," said SSA.
"It is therefore paramount that attention is given to policies and targeted interventions in response to the observed upward trend in homelessness in order to mitigate its impact."
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