Cape Town is taking a significant step toward ensuring that every resident has a safe and dignified place to call home. On November 4, 2025, during the National Homelessness Conference held in the city, the City of Cape Town signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Institute of Global Homelessness (IGH), officially joining the global Vanguard Program. The MOU had been previously signed by the Mayor of Cape Town, Ald. Geordin Hill-Lewis. This partnership includes goals to be reached by 2030, reflecting the City’s long-term commitment to reducing street homelessness.

Cape Town will focus on ensuring that those who experience street homelessness do so only briefly, and supporting them to achieve stability. The City is committed to strengthening early interventions, expanding access to safe accommodation and supportive services, and creating more pathways to housing. It also aims to reduce the time people spend living on the streets and to ensure that individuals have the ongoing support they need to exit homelessness.

“With this global network, Cape Town will be in a better position to collect data, share learning, and ensure accountability — These are not only administrative goals, but ultimately for a key strategic focus: strengthening collaboration. By being here, we show that compassion, data, and collaboration can change hearts and that Cape Town is leading with purpose,” said Councillor Francine Higham, a Mayoral Committee Member, during the MOU signing ceremony.

Collaboration is a pillar of this effort. Cape Town will work closely with local partners, community organizations, and people with lived experience to create coordinated and effective solutions. The city will also benefit from IGH’s support and connections to an international network of cities addressing homelessness around the world. This global exchange will allow Cape Town to learn from best practices and share its own innovative approaches.

“As this partnership takes shape, we look forward to supporting Cape Town in advancing its goals, strengthening its data and service systems, and demonstrating progress that not only drives local impact but also inspires communities around the world to take action to end homelessness,” expressed Julia Wagner, Interim Executive director and Program director of IGH.

IGH partners with cities taking measurable action to reduce and end homelessness. By joining the Vanguard Program, Cape Town becomes part of a worldwide community committed to evidence-based approaches, practical solutions, and the voices of people with lived experience.