Cape Town joins global Vanguard Cities network to reduce homelessness
04 November 2025
The City today signed a formal Memorandum Of Agreement joining 17 others working with the Institute for Global Homelessness (IGH), to reduce the number of persons sleeping rough. Read more below:
The Institute of Global Homelessness (IGH) launched the first Vanguard Cities cohort in 2017.
The aim is to support and uplift local expertise and innovation in addressing homelessness, while fostering the benefits of both community and global exchange.
Cape Town is the eighteenth city to join the programme.
The Memorandum of Agreement was signed during the National Homeless Conversation at City Hall, hosted by the City, in collaboration with the National Homeless Network.
This is the first time that the event is being hosted in Cape Town, making the signing of the MOA to become a Vanguard City all the more significant. The agreement was signed by Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Service and Health, Councillor Francine Higham and Executive Director for Community Services and Health, Zukiswa Mandlana.
In doing so, the City of Cape Town has committed to:- Annually measure the extent of homelessness in the metropole and reporting to the IGH
- Working with the IGH to set, and work towards accomplishing objectives specific to Cape Town
- Engaging with people of lived experience and commit to equity and inclusion practices
- Actively engaging in sharing Cape Town's perspectives and best practices with others in the Vanguard Programme
- Attending the annual Vanguard Summit
'The City of Cape Town has, since 2013, introduced a range of interventions to help persons off the streets in a sustainable, dignified manner. Not only have we built and sustained partnerships with NGOs, but we've also invested in City services and Safe Spaces to make a meaningful difference. Becoming a Vanguard City is the next step of this strategy which underlines our commitment to addressing homelessness. By joining this global network, we can share lessons from our experience of helping rough sleepers off the street, but also learn valuable lessons from other member cities.
'This step builds on the progress we've already made. Together with our partners and communities, we are building a city where every person has the opportunity to live with dignity and hope. As a city, Cape Town can play a leading role in shaping more compassionate responses to homelessness,' said Councillor Francine Higham, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
