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Homelessness is often misunderstood. It’s not always a choice, nor a result of laziness or poor decisions. Many individuals become homeless due to unemployment, low income, and limited access to essential services like healthcare, education, and job opportunities. Those in the “missing middle” struggle to afford housing yet don’t qualify for government support, highlighting the need for robust community development initiatives.

Kudzo Foundation, in partnership with Mould Empower Serve (MES), is helping change this narrative. Through shelter and street exit strategies, we provide not just housing, but also pathways to stability, dignity, and opportunity for South Africa’s homeless, demonstrating our commitment to homeless support.

Kate Mlauzi (2018) describes the current conditions of displacement and homelessness in South Africa:

A walk through Johannesburg’s metropolitan area highlights the stark reality of homelessness in the country. The reasons why people become homeless are diverse. Some hold the belief that homelessness is a personal choice or associate it with criminality, laziness, substance abuse, or poor life decisions. However, this perception is flawed, as it overlooks the broader socio-economic conditions—often beyond an individual’s control—that contribute to homelessness. As socio-economic dynamics change, so too does our understanding of who comprises this population.

Homelessness is more than simply lacking a roof over one’s head; it also involves a lack of access to essential socio-economic opportunities, such as employment, healthcare, and education. By recognizing these multiple dimensions, it becomes clear that homeless individuals are not a homogeneous group, and that the pathways into and out of homelessness are neither linear nor uniform.

The most common form of homelessness occurs when unemployed individuals cannot afford housing. People with low or irregular incomes are particularly vulnerable to poverty, which increases their risk of becoming homeless. Those caught in the “missing middle”—unable to afford a home bond yet not qualifying for low-income housing—are especially at risk.

Kudzo Foundation’s Participation in the 2025 PIT Count in Johannesburg

As part of the first pilot Point‑in‑Time Count (PITC) in Johannesburg—held on 20 August 2025—Kudzo Foundation answered the call to support this historic effort to better understand and address homelessness in the city through corporate social investment.

The PIT Count was coordinated by Jozi My Jozi in partnership with organizations such as U‑Turn, MES (Mould Empower Serve), the Gauteng Department of Social Development, City of Johannesburg, corporate partners, and over 200 volunteers. Its aim was to gather a real‑time snapshot of people sleeping rough in pilot areas including the CBD, Hillbrow, and Linden.

When Jozi My Jozi extended an invitation for civil society groups to join, the Kudzo Foundation responded, enabling its team to take part in the enumeration and engagement with unhoused individuals on the night of the count. This involvement included walking sections of designated areas, recording information, and assisting outreach alongside other volunteers—contributing to the collective effort to count and better understand the scale and conditions of street homelessness in Johannesburg. Beyond counting, the Foundation’s participation helped raise awareness of the complex socio‑economic realities faced by people experiencing homelessness—reinforcing that effective intervention requires both data and sustained support services.

By participating in the PIT Count, Kudzo Foundation demonstrated active engagement with data-driven community responses, strengthening collaboration between NGOs, civic partners, and government stakeholders in the fight against homelessness in South Africa’s largest city.