Earlier in February, before COVID-19 stopped the world, the United Nations adopted the first resolution defining homelessness, after the first debate on the issue in a generation. The resolution incorporates all the key categories of homelessness from the Framework of our partner the Institute of Global Homelessness. The UN keeps working despite the pandemic, and it is expected that the Economic and Social Council will adopt the resolution shortly, to then move to the General Assembly later in the year.
The resolution includes a formal written encouragement for Member States to harmonise measurement and collection of data on homelessness. The Resolution strengthens the role of the UN Statistical Commission and emphasises “the need to make concerted efforts to identify people experiencing homelessness”.
The resolution was adopted at the end of 58th Session of the Commission for Social Development, which focused on affordable housing and social protection for all in an effort to address homelessness. Vincentian advocacy has played a vital role in introducing homelessness to the UN Agenda. The advocacy efforts by the NGO Working Group to End Homelessness made it possible for this issue to be the priority theme of the 58th Session. The Working Group, created by the Vincentian Family, brings together organisations from all over the world. Until then, the group was coordinated by Father Memo Campuzano CM
The FHA and our partners, Depaul International and the IGH, also members of the NGO Working Group, powered the “Make us count” campaign with the intention of bringing the voices of people experiencing homelessness around the world to the discussions in the UN.
Our long-term goal in to introduce homelessness as indicator in the next set of Sustainable Developments Goals planned for 2030.
Hi ,I was involved in runnning a temporary shelter for homeless people in Capital Park Pretoria ,South Africa during the covid lock down .
We were one of the only shelters that had an exist plan for our guests after the lock down .
When we approached the local municipality to make property available for us so that we could carry on with the shelter after lock down ,we were abruptly disregarded .
We have challenges in Pretoria ,especially with the lack of support from the local municipality.
We need funding and property to be able to help end homelessness.
What can we do to take this issue further .
Government is not coming to the party .
During the lock down we formed a NPO ,Tshimolog, which means the beginning in one of our local languages.
Advice and assistance will be appreciatd ,kind regards.
Mivhael Burt .
Director of Tshimolog.
Dear Michael,
thank you for sharing with us your experience. I am sorry to hear the struggles you are going through, I am sure your service for homeless people is much needed and well done for running a shelter during the lockdown!
We have funding available for projects helping homeless people around the world, but the Famvin Homeless Alliance sponsor only projects that are part of the Vincentian family. Are you part of the Vincentian Family? If so we may be able to help.
Let me know if this can help you in any way and I am happy to discuss it further.
Thank you
Kind regards,
Anna Mosca