National Homeless Network outlines five critical demands for municipalities ahead of elections

The National Homeless Network’s draft manifesto has listed five key demands to municipalities for consideration in the Local Government Elections in November 2026. 

The draft manifesto focuses on shelter, access to health care, access to sanitation and ablutions, equal treatment by the police/security, and increasing economic opportunity. 

Raymond Perrier, election co-ordinator for the National Homeless Network and director of the Denis Hurley Centre (DHC), held a webinar with stakeholders from across the country on Wednesday in preparation for the elections.

He said the policies and practices of local municipalities probably have a greater direct impact on the lives of homeless people than any other government function.   

 In 2024, a total of 1,000 votes were cast at DHC, which is also a registered voting station.

“These elections are therefore an opportunity, that only comes up once every five years, to make sure that some of the needs of homeless people are articulated to the incoming politicians who might actually commit to delivering on them,” Perrier said. 

He explained that the manifesto is framed in terms of five focus areas, similar to those used in 2021, since they remain the most relevant and broadly reflect the mandate of local government.  

“This also allows us to highlight how much has or has not been achieved in the past five years,” he said. 

Perrier said the network has not, for example, included anything specifically on addiction, as that is the mandate of the Department of Social Development.

“If you demand that local councillors change the policy on drug management, they will just shrug their shoulders and say it has nothing to do with them – and they would be right. That does not mean that you cannot make a demand that has some connection with drugs, like demanding that the municipality provide a building to run a harm reduction programme,” he explained. 

Perrier said each municipality has a challenge to do with shelter, but that the specifics would vary. Some might need a safe-open-sleeping space, while others might need to increase the number of beds currently offered or improve security measures at an existing shelter or ensure appropriate provision for families, disabled people, or LGBTQI+ people.

“Municipalities will always be ready to state the costs. The network should be ready to state the benefits. The plan is to have the manifesto ready for launch in August,” he said. 

Kay Maharaj, a member of the network in Durban, said one of the many derelict buildings in Durban can be handed to an NPO that deals with the homeless and also serves as a drug reduction and skills development centre. 

Tshepiso Dioka, a member of the network in Johannesburg, said they do not have their own facility, where addicts can be admitted immediately instead of waiting for availability at rehabilitation centres. Dioka said they required a safe space for people to stay overnight because many of them collect recyclable material and cannot return home during the week.

“They resort to sleeping on the streets because of a lack of safe spaces and transport costs to and from home daily,” she said.

Sphamandla Mhlongo, the programme officer for Programme Democracy Development Programme (DDP), believed that every person, regardless of housing status, has the right to participate in the decisions that affect their lives.

He said that common barriers for the homeless include no fixed address, lack of IDs, distrust of government systems, and limited access to information.

“You don't need a home address, a shelter, an outreach centre, or a consistent location can be used. Ward councillors and municipalities decide on shelters, public spaces, and social services. Voting in local elections directly affects homeless communities,” he added. 

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za