Examples From Around the World to Help Solve Homelessness

 

    As of 2019, estimated 150 million people are homeless worldwide. However, experts are afraid that the numbers are so much higher due to homeless people falling off the system because of their absence on the governmental records such as social security and census declarations. Not being able to capture real numbers creates complications, and makes it hard to come up with solutions to fight against homelessness. 

    As the number of homelessness arises each year, countries come up with innovative solutions with the support of local organizations that fight against homelesness. Here are a few solutions that were developed to help individuals get off the streets, whether it is recycling the old buses in the United Kingdom or teaching homeless people how to repair phones in India. 

    One of the solutions the UK came up with was converting iconic red buses into shelters. Due to strict environmental regulations, many red buses had to retire. The UK government saw that as an opportunity to give back to the community by converting red buses into shelters to help those struggling with homelessness. According to the local government, each red bus has a capacity of sheltering 16 individuals. 

    Thanks to this innovative solution, many big cities in the UK, especially London, were able to help thousands of homeless people by providing them a place to stay. The Concept called Buses4Homeless, does not stop taking care of their homeless by providing shelter but these red buses also come with health check-up and life skills training for those in need. 

  

    Another great solution in the UK was developed by an organization called Change Please to help individuals suffering with homelessness to learn a new skill so that they can start earning money to afford a shelter.  Change Please has dedicated coffee shops that train homeless people to be baristas. Cemal Ezal, the founder, noted that if we can only influence a percentage of Londoners to choose where they buy their coffee, we can make a real difference for helping London fight against homelessness. 

    The similar idea was implemented in Delhi. A charity called Adhikar Abhiyan trained homeless individuals how to repair phones. The founder noted that half of the participants went on to find full time jobs as a repairman after completing the course. The organization plans to continue working on the project in the upcoming years as well. For more information click below.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/12/how-to-solve-homelessness-poverty-cities-urbanization/