During COVID-19, the collective response to street homelessness in the City of Tshwane – involving the City, the Tshwane Homelessness Forum, more than 20 NGOs and university-based researchers – was remarkable. Within a 10-day period more than 20 temporary shelters were created accommodating more than 1,500 people. 12,000 health screenings were done, psycho-social programmes rolled out, harm reduction programmes offered, and family integration facilitated. This was enabled by the creation of innovative infrastructure, quick development of protocols and training for shelter management, mobilizing resources centrally, and sharing of expertise across a wide range of stakeholders, instead of unnecessary competition. This is a small ‘command centre’ offering central support to NGOs and the City, on request. The package of services offered, depending on available resources, include

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