Question NW2172 to the Minister of Social Development
26 July 2022 - NW2172
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Given that the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework budget tabled for the 2022-23 financial year makes no specific reference to the increasing crisis of homelessness and noting that the subprogramme Families, where the process of family reunification falls, is the only social development programme dedicated to address homelessness, what are the reasons that she has not dedicated a specific budget to address homelessness in terms of providing dignity to such individuals; (2) what budget allocations have provincial departments made to address homelessness and street persons in the specified financial year; (3) what is the budget breakdown of the R10,5 million for the Families sub-programme in the specified financial year; (4) what (a) total amount was allocated towards the reunification of homeless persons with their families and (b) has been the success rate of the family reunification programme in each province?
Reply:
1. Homelessness is a complex and cross-cutting issue that no single Department or entity of Government can address on its own. The Department is currently leading efforts to develop a policy framework that will guide and coordinate interventions by various key role players in addressing homelessness.
The policy framework will outline the roles and responsibilities, norms and standards within which such services should be provided. The department further has to provide psychosocial support and reunification services which are part of the package of services included within the current baseline.
2. Currently, two provincial departments, namely Gauteng (R 11 545 986) and Western Cape (R R2 898 560) have a dedicated budget to address homelessness.
(3)
|
NATIONAL BUDGET BREAKDOWN 2022/2023 |
|
|
Compensation of employees |
R5 168 |
|
Goods and Service |
R3 295 |
|
Transfers |
R1 868 |
|
Capital payments |
R 241 |
|
Total |
R10 573 |
(4) The table below indicate the total amount allocated towards the reunification of homeless persons with their families and the success rate of the family reunification programme per province.
|
Province |
(a) Allocated Budget |
(b) Recorded Numbers |
|
Limpopo
|
No dedicated budget. Reunification services is part of the basket of services rendered by social workers. |
No official record at the time of reply |
|
Free State |
No dedicated budget. Reunification services is part of the basket of services rendered by social workers. |
117 |
|
Mpumalanga
|
No dedicated budget. Reunification services is part of the basket of services rendered by social workers. |
No official record at the time of reply |
|
Northern Cape
|
No dedicated budget. Reunification services is part of the basket of services rendered by social workers. |
602 |
|
Western Cape
|
Refer to 2 above |
602 |
|
Eastern Cape
|
No dedicated budget. Reunification services is part of the basket of services rendered by social workers. |
463 |
|
Gauteng
|
Refer to 2 above |
2 279 |
|
North West
|
No dedicated budget. Reunification services is part of the basket of services rendered by social workers. |
97 |
|
KwaZulu-Natal
|
No dedicated budget. Reunification services is part of the basket of services rendered by social workers. |
1 799 |