SOUTHERN AFRICAN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

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Sayda Students Shelter

No Place Like Home

SAYDA STUDENTS SHELTER

Sayda Students Shelter Project is a division of Southern African Youth Development Agency.

Sayda Students Shelter is a short-term emergency housing assistance project that provides tertiary students who are experiencing housing insecurities and housing displacement during the tertiary registration season to ensure the students' safety and time to acquire permanent and secure accommodation.

To make a difference in someone's life, you don't have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful or perfect, you just have to care.
- Unknown

Sayda Students Shelter

Hospitality Project

ssshelter@sayda.org.za

Our PROJECT

Who we are...

Sayda Students Shelter

  • Provide short-term emergency housing (for up to 7 days at no cost, upon presentation of valid academic registration proof and subject to space availability) for tertiary students experiencing housing insecurity or displacement.
  • Our objectives are to 🏠 Offer tertiary students short-term safe accommodation during the tertiary registration and transition period. 🎓 Safeguard education access by preventing students from dropping out due to lack of housing. 🤝 Partner with institutions, communities, and stakeholders to create sustainable housing support networks.🌍 Promote equality and opportunity by ensuring that no student’s future is compromised because of housing insecurity.
  • Our mission is to provide emergency housing support for tertiary students experiencing displacement or housing insecurity, ensuring their safety, stability, and uninterrupted access to education.

SAYDA STUDENT SHELTER'S BACKGROUND

Sayda Students Shelter Project was established in response to the growing challenge of housing insecurity among tertiary students, particularly during the annual registration season. Many young people, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, arrive at universities and colleges only to face immediate accommodation crises that place their safety, studies, and overall well-being at risk.

Recognizing the urgent need for a safe and temporary refuge, the Southern African Youth Development Agency (SAYDA) created the Shelter as a short-term emergency housing solution. The project provides students with up to seven days of free accommodation, giving them the time and security they need to finalize permanent and stable living arrangements.

The Shelter not only addresses an immediate need but also reflects SAYDA’s broader commitment to youth empowerment, educational access, and social development. By reducing the stress and vulnerability caused by displacement, the Sayda Students Shelter Project ensures that students remain focused on what matters most — their education and personal growth.

What we do...

At Sayda Students Shelter Project, we provide short-term emergency housing to tertiary students facing immediate accommodation challenges, particularly during the registration season when demand for housing is high.

Our work focuses on:

  • Safe Temporary Accommodation – Offering secure housing for up to 7 days at no cost, giving students breathing space to find permanent accommodation.
  • Student Support Services – Assisting with referrals to universities, housing offices, and accredited accommodation providers.
  • Crisis Intervention – Responding swiftly to students at risk of homelessness or displacement to ensure their safety and dignity.
  • Equity in Access – Ensuring students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, do not have their education disrupted by housing insecurity.
  • Partnerships for Sustainability – Collaborating with universities, local authorities, landlords, and sponsors to expand resources and long-term solutions.

CASE STUDY

IOL Thursday, 09 May 2024

A student representative at campus, said some students experienced “many challenges”. He said the online registration system had crashed several times after the release of the matric results. He added that some students had not received firm offers. “They have not received replies from the university. Students are waiting for more than three weeks for approval.”This had led to students waiting at the Student Union building. A student representative said student organisations were assisting with the provision of meals.

A student representative had written to the management of the university asking for the start of classes to be postponed due to these challenges.


Student, Glomour Gumede, from Bhamshela in Ndwedwe Municipality, said she had registered as a student on February 12 but was still waiting for accommodation. “It’s very bad. I registered for res (a residence) but till today (February 14), there hasn’t been any response. We have been sleeping in the SU (Student Union building), which is a hall.

“We have been in the line (for accommodation) since 7am, but no one has come to address us. What is painful is that some of us come from disadvantaged backgrounds.” She added that from February 12, they had been waiting in the building and at night they were allowed to sleep at a residence. “We sleep in res, wake up and take a shower then we go back to the SU,” she said.

Another student, Andiswa Myeni, from Jozini in northern KZN, said she arrived earlier in the week, paid her fees and registered for classes. She said she was just waiting to be allocated accommodation and she was also waiting at the Student Union building.

Amahle Sibisi, from uMlazi, said she was at the university a week prior to the start of the classes. She then went back home, returned on February 12 and has since remained on the campus. Sibisi said she was registered and waiting to get allocated accommodation.

How We Work

We follow a simple, transparent process to make sure students in need can access help quickly:

  • Proof of Registration – Students present their academic registration documents and student ID.
  • Check-in & Placement – Accommodation is provided immediately, subject to space availability.
  • Emergency Stay – Students may stay for up to 7 days at no cost, ensuring safety and stability.
  • Support & Referral – During their stay, we link students with housing offices, trusted providers, and financial aid resources.
  • Transition to Permanent Housing – We help students move into secure, long-term accommodation so they can continue their studies without interruption.
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