The Haven Night Shelter Welfare Organisation

What The Haven Night Shelter Welfare Organisation does

The Haven Night Shelter Welfare Organisation is a South African non-profit company established in 1978 in Cape Town to provide temporary shelter, physical care, social welfare, and family reunification services to adult homeless persons in the Western Cape. Registered as a Section 21 (a) Not for Gain Public Company (1983), NPO (2000), and PBO (2004), the organisation operates 15 shelter locations spanning Cape Town metro and surrounding towns including Bellville, Ceres, Claremont, Kalk Bay, Kraaifontein, Kensington, Mossel Bay, Paarl, Retreat, Malmesbury (Swartland), and Wynberg, plus the Haven Homes old age facility in Woodstock. Each shelter is staffed with a manager, four supervisors, and at least one qualified social worker registered with SACSSP who constructs Personal Development Plans (PDPs) for clients covering rehabilitation, family reunification, and reintegration pathways; full-time field workers additionally engage homeless individuals on the streets to encourage shelter uptake and coordinate with the City of Cape Town's homeless database.

The organisation serves more than 2,500 new clients per year through a no-fee-for-first-5-days policy and a structured fee model (R15 per day for those without income, R750 per month for those earning above R1,400 per month). It does not operate a proprietary technology platform; service delivery is in-person and field-based, supported only by commodity tools (PayFast and SnapScan for donation processing, Mailchimp for email communications). Revenue is sourced from individual donations (Heart of the Haven recurring membership, Buy a Bed campaign at R75 per person for five nights), corporate sponsorships (CTICC, Pick n Pay, Spar, Woolworths, Foodbank, National Lotteries Commission, Investec, Glenryck SA, Ranmore Fund Management, PetroSA), and government partnerships with the City of Cape Town and the Department of Social Development. No private equity, parent company, or commercial ownership exists; the organisation is governed independently as a public benefit entity.

The Haven is currently expanding capacity through Project Napier (60 additional beds completed September 2023, R1.2 million raised), active capacity projects at Wynberg and Claremont, and a planned dedicated family shelter construction project in Claremont. Its go-to-market relies on community-led outreach, government and police referrals, and proactive field worker engagement rather than digital acquisition, with brand storytelling via a 'Stories to Tell' blog and social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn supporting donor and volunteer engagement.

Name

The Haven Night Shelter Welfare Organisation

Legal name

The Haven Night Shelter Welfare Organisation

Website

https://haven.org.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Haven Night Shelter Welfare Organisation operates 15 shelters across the Western Cape, South Africa, providing temporary shelter, physical care, social welfare, and family reunification services to more than 2,500 adult homeless persons per year. Founded in 1978, it is funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, and government partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless Shelter Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC), Affordable / Low-Income Assisted Living (Medicaid Waiver Focused) (HLADABAE), Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

Keywords

• Homeless shelter services
• Social welfare services
• Family reunification support
• Night shelter accommodation
• Rehabilitation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: The organisation relies heavily on donations from individuals, corporations, and government bodies. Corporate sponsors (such as Woolworths, Pick n Pay, Spar, Foodbank, National Lotteries Commission) provide financial support, goods in kind, and food donations. The 'Heart of the Haven' membership program enables recurring debit order donations from individuals.
2. Shelter Fees: Clients are asked to pay shelter fees — R15 per day for those without regular income, or R750 per month for those earning above R1400 per month. Clients who cannot afford to pay may contribute via the Buy a Bed campaign or by performing daily tasks such as gardening or peeling vegetables to earn Haven passports in lieu of payment.
3. Buy a Bed Campaign: Community members can purchase shelter beds for homeless individuals. The standard offering is R75 to cover one person for five nights. This is a targeted donation product that funds the shelter fee for homeless persons with no income.
4. Haven Passports: The organisation sells Haven passports — publications or passes — both online and at shelter locations. Proceeds support operational costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Haven Night Shelter Welfare Organisation provides temporary shelter, physical care, social welfare and family reunification services to adult homeless persons in the Western Cape, South Africa. Operating 15 shelters across Cape Town and surrounding areas, the organisation delivers structured Personal Development Plans (PDPs), social work interventions, rehabilitation programs, and field-worker outreach to help homeless individuals reintegrate into communities and families.

Product overview

The Haven Night Shelter Welfare Organisation operates as a unified service offering focused on homeless shelter and reintegration support. The core offering consists of temporary shelter across 15 locations in the Western Cape, supported by social work services, fieldworker outreach, and family reunification programs. Supporting initiatives include the Buy a Bed campaign for donor-funded shelter access and the Heart of The Haven membership for recurring support. The organisation is expanding capacity through projects like Project Napier (completed 2023 with 60 new beds) and planning a Family Shelter Construction Project in Claremont to serve family units.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Temporary Shelter Services Temporary shelter, physical care, social welfare and family reunification services for adult homeless persons in the Western Cape, delivered through 15 shelter locations across Cape Town and surrounding areas. Each shelter provides intake, accommodation, meals, and a no-fee-for-first-5-days policy.
• Buy a Bed Campaign Donation program where community members purchase shelter beds for specific homeless individuals. R75 covers one person for five nights. Available for 2 or 5 persons at proportional pricing. Online donation via PayFast and EFT.
• Heart of The Haven Membership Recurring donation membership program via debit order providing cash assistance for client support including ID books, transport, and comfort packs (toiletries, etc.). Every cent goes directly to client support.
• Social Work Services In-depth assessment and Personal Development Plan (PDP) construction by qualified social workers to help homeless persons work towards reintegration and family reunification. Includes substance abuse programs, anger management, parenting programs, and life skills training.
• Fieldworker Outreach Services Full-time field workers actively approach homeless persons on the streets, encouraging them to come off streets. They log homeless persons on City databases, find families, make travel arrangements, and ensure safe reunification.
• Haven Homes (Old Age Care) Old age home facility located in Woodstock, Cape Town providing home care services, nursing support, and frail care for elderly individuals who require assisted living and daily care support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2500 new clients helped per year across 15 shelters
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of Cape TowncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Cape Town works closely with The Haven on shelter operations and urban homelessness management. The Mayor of Cape Town (Geordin Hill-Lewis) attended the Project Napier opening ceremony in September 2023. The Haven field workers log homeless persons on the City's database.
• Department of Social Development (DSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSD refers homeless persons to Haven shelters and the Haven provides social work services on behalf of DSD. The Families program of DSD funds NGO partners who use supervision services provided by The Haven for family reunification services.
• Foodbank South AfricaminorOthersProvides food donations to support shelter operations and client meals.
• Glenryck SAminorOthersCorporate sponsor providing food donations (canned fish products) to The Haven.
• Sultan Bahu (Drug Rehabilitation Centre)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for substance abuse rehabilitation programs. Haven clients are referred to Sultan Bahu for drug rehabilitation treatment, and the organisation works closely with the facility.
• TB/HIV Care AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation providing change programs to Haven clients as part of their Personal Development Plans.
• False Bay College TVETminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents from False Bay College visited Haven Kalk Bay and organised a blanket drive in support of shelter residents, demonstrating community educational sector involvement.
• Claremont Improvement Districts (CID)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecurity officers from CID refer homeless persons to Haven shelters, including cases identified in the community.
• BadisaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial worker referral organisation working with Haven on child welfare cases. Badisa was consulted regarding the minor (Sarah) brought to Haven Wynberg and collaborated on reunification planning.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MES (Mould Empower Serve): South African multi-city NGO offering shelter, social services, and reintegration programs for homeless and vulnerable persons. Comparable shelter-based service delivery model across multiple South African locations.
• U-Turn Homeless Ministries: Cape Town-based Christian organisation providing holistic services to homeless individuals including shelter, rehabilitation, skills development and reintegration. Directly comparable as a Cape Town homelessness NGO with a similar reintegration mission and beneficiary population.
• Salesian Institute Youth Projects: Cape Town-based NGO serving homeless and at-risk youth through shelter, education, and skills programmes. Comparable Cape Town location with overlap in shelter-based reintegration services.
• Streetscapes: Cape Town NGO providing work-based reintegration for homeless individuals through cleaning teams and structured employment pathways. Highly comparable reintegration model focused on Cape Town homeless persons.
• Door of Hope: Johannesburg-based shelter providing residential care, family reunification, and reintegration for homeless adults. Directly comparable mission and service model in a different South African metro.
• Ladles of Love: Cape Town-based NPO providing food, clothing and shelter support to homeless and vulnerable communities. Comparable Cape Town location and donor-driven funding model supporting homeless beneficiaries.
• The Carpenter's Shop: Cape Town day shelter serving the homeless and destitute with meals, social services, and referrals. Comparable as a Western Cape-based homeless services NGO serving overlapping beneficiary populations.
• The Homestead Projects for Street Children: Cape Town organisation providing shelter and rehabilitation services to street children and youth. Comparable Western Cape shelter provider with overlapping beneficiary segment.

Others

• Badisa: Western Cape social welfare organisation focused on child and family welfare services. Referenced as a referral partner on Haven child cases; comparable as an adjacent Western Cape social service NPO rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• CWD (Catholic Welfare and Development): National Catholic welfare organisation providing broader social services including support to homeless and vulnerable persons. Comparable as a larger welfare NPO but with a broader mandate beyond homelessness.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheHavenNightShelter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-haven-night-shelter-welfare-organisation
• Instagraminstagram.com/haven.org.za

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Haven Night Shelter Welfare Organisation