First Homeless Count.

Lukho Mkwedi Phuthi is joined by Remembrance Mokoena Ngulele from the University of Pretoria to discuss the First Homeless Count in South Africa. Recent data shows that homelessness in the country has increased significantly, from 13,135 people in 1996 to 55,719 in 2022, with youth and adults comprising the majority of the homeless population. The count involves systematic efforts to identify and survey homeless individuals in various hotspots to get accurate data, including streets, parks, and abandoned buildings. Causes of homelessness are largely linked to unemployment, family breakdowns, and substance abuse, and many homeless persons face additional challenges like violence and lack of access to basic services. The initiative aims to inform better-targeted interventions by communities, government, and civil society to address this growing crisis effectively.