Cape Town has officially joined 17 other global cities in the Vanguard Cities network — a worldwide initiative led by the Institute for Global Homelessness (IGH) — dedicated to reducing the number of people living on the streets.
The City signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) during the National Homeless Conversation held at City Hall, hosted in collaboration with the National Homeless Network. This marks the first time the event has taken place in Cape Town, making the City’s induction into the Vanguard Cities programme especially significant.
The agreement was signed by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham, and Executive Director, Zukiswa Mandlana. By joining the initiative, Cape Town commits to regularly measuring homelessness, engaging directly with affected individuals, setting locally relevant goals, and sharing best practices with other Vanguard Cities.
Councillor Higham said the move builds on more than a decade of City-led interventions:
“Since 2013, Cape Town has implemented sustainable, dignified programmes to help people off the streets. Becoming a Vanguard City strengthens our strategy and enables us to both share our lessons and learn from others around the world. Together, we’re working towards a city where every person can live with dignity and hope.”
Cape Town’s inclusion in the network reflects a broader vision to lead with compassion and innovation in addressing urban homelessness.
