Cape Town signed a formal Memorandum of Agreement with the Institute for Global Homelessness (IGH) and 17 other already working, to reduce the number of persons sleeping roughly.
Reportedly, the IGH launched the first Vanguard Cities cohort in 2017. It aims to support and uplift local expertise and innovation in addressing homelessness while fostering the benefits of community and global exchange. Cape Town is the 18th city to join the programme.
The MOA was signed during the National Homeless Conversation at City Hall, hosted by the City of Cape Town in collaboration with the National Homeless Network. This is for the first time that the event is being hosted in Cape Town by making the signing of the MOA to become a Vanguard City, more significant.
The agreement was signed by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, MMC for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham and Executive Director for Community Services and Health – Zukiswa Mandlana.
Considering this, the City of Cape Town stated that there are 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
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham said that the City of Cape Town in a sustainable and dignified manner. She added that they have built a sustained partnership with NGOs and have also invested in the city services and Safe Spaces to make a meaningful difference.
Higham explained that becoming a Vanguard City is the next step of this strategy which underlines the commitment to address homelessness. By joining this global network, they can share lessons from the experience of helping rough sleepers off the street but also learn valuable lessons from other member cities.
According to Francine Higham, this step builds on the progress they have already made. Together with the partners and communities, they are building a city where every person can live with dignity and hope. As a city, Cape Town is now playing a leading role in shaping more compassionate responses to homelessness.