The Haven Night Shelter Retreat

The Haven Night Shelter is one of Cape Town's most established homeless services organisations, operating since 1978 and running 15 shelters across the Western Cape — 10 of which are within greater Cape Town. Their mission is expressed simply: to get homeless people back to a home, family, and community.

While The Haven is not a specialised GBV organisation, it is a critical resource for survivors of abuse who have been left without housing — whether through fleeing an abusive home, losing financial support, or finding themselves on the street as a consequence of violence. Their approach is deeply human: they treat every person with dignity and work to reconnect people with their own agency and their loved ones.

What They Offer Survivors

Emergency Shelter Beds are available across 15 shelter locations in the Western Cape including Green Point, Woodstock, Kensington, Retreat, Claremont, Wynberg, Parow, Paarl, Mossel Bay, and Kraaifontein. If you are homeless and in need of a safe place to sleep, The Haven can accommodate you. Shelter fees are R15 per day for those with income — but those who cannot pay will still receive support.

Social Work Services Each shelter has social workers who can assess your situation, help you apply for ID documents (a significant barrier for many abuse survivors), access government grants, and create a personalised plan to get you back on your feet. Document access is often one of the most practical and urgent needs survivors face.

Counselling and Psychosocial Support Counselling and emotional support are available at Haven shelters — addressing the trauma, grief, and practical challenges that come with homelessness and displacement.

Skills Training and Job Placement The Haven runs structured skills training and job readiness programmes, actively partnering with employers to help residents move into employment and financial independence.

Education and Literacy Programmes Literacy support and education programmes are available for residents who need to improve their reading and writing skills before being able to access employment.

Addiction and Recovery Support (MATRIX Programme) The Haven has its own outpatient rehabilitation centre — the MATRIX — offering approximately three hours per day of intensive group and individual counselling for those dealing with drug and alcohol dependency alongside their homelessness.

The Dignity Project In partnership with community donors, The Haven periodically runs the Dignity Project — providing hot showers, meals, laundry, haircuts, dignity packs, and phone access for rough sleepers who are not yet in the shelter system.

Haven Passports Members of the public can purchase Haven Passport voucher booklets and give them to people experiencing homelessness. These vouchers are exchanged at shelters for meals, a bed, and basic services — a dignified alternative to cash.

Cape Town Shelter Locations

Green Point (Head Office) | Woodstock (Moira Henderson) | Kensington | Retreat | Wynberg | Claremont | District 6 | Kraaifontein | Parow | Fish Hoek | Paarl | Mossel Bay | Swartland (Malmesbury)

If you are homeless and need shelter tonight, call 021 425 4700 or go directly to the nearest Haven shelter.