# University tackles South Africa's homelessness policy void

> With no national framework and minimal government action, the University of the Free State is leading a task team to build coordinated responses to homelessness in Mangaung.
- Title: University tackles South Africa's homelessness policy void
- Summary: With no national framework and minimal government action, the University of the Free State is leading a task team to build coordinated responses to…
- Keywords: homelessness, south africa, university of the free state, mangaung, policy, community engagement, world homeless day, news, politics, University, tackles, South
- Source: Daily Maverick — https://dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-10-08-homelessness-in-sa-persists-in-a-policy-vacuum-one-varsity-is-acting-to-fill-it
- Author: Jean-Paul Pophaim
- Published: 2026-10-08T13:05:07+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: homelessness, south africa, university of the free state, mangaung, policy, community engagement, world homeless day, news, politics
## World Homeless Day arrives with little government response
World Homeless Day falls on October tenth, but South Africa's government offers little response to homelessness. Grassroots organisations typically handle the crisis management alone.
## Homelessness reflects failed democracy and rights denial
In South Africa, homelessness is a foremost manifestation of a failed democracy that deliberately excludes people and denies them constitutional rights. It involves frequently overlooked gross human rights violations.
## The UN defines homelessness as systemic failure
The United Nations defines homelessness as a manifestation of extreme poverty and a failure of multiple systems, characterised by a lack of stable, safe, permanent and appropriate housing.

> a manifestation of extreme poverty and a failure of multiple systems, characterised by a lack of stable, safe, permanent and appropriate housing
## South Africa operates in a policy vacuum on homelessness
In the absence of a national policy framework on homelessness, only one province, three cities and one municipality have attempted to develop policies. Mangaung has not. Homelessness exists in a policy vacuum.

> a policy vacuum
## UFS establishes task team following sector concerns
Following concerns raised by Bishop De la Harpe le Roux from the Towers of Hope, the Directorate for Community Engagement at the University of the Free State has established a multistakeholder task team to strengthen homelessness responses.
## Task team brings together diverse expertise and partners
The task team includes representatives from the Directorate for Community Engagement, Kidz Care Trust, Towers of Hope, Iphahamiseng Trust and Zawadi Shelter, alongside staff from UFS faculties including Humanities, Health Sciences, Education, Law and Theology.
## Task team plans phased approach to policy implementation
The task team aims to move from fragmented crisis responses to a coordinated, inclusive and evidence-based response. Initial phases include an estimation survey, engaging local government, a region-wide census, awareness events and consultations with people experiencing homelessness.
## Goal is to draft and implement Mangaung homelessness policy
The task team plans to generate contextually relevant data, establish functional intersectoral relationships and create sustainable service sector pathways. The ultimate goal is drafting and implementing a proposed homelessness policy for Mangaung.
## Key takeaway

The University of the Free State is establishing a multistakeholder task team to address homelessness in Mangaung, filling a gap left by the absence of national policy and government action.