The vast majority of you reading this post will never face homelessness, but the sad reality is that in the United States alone, over half a million people will face homelessness tonight. According the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, in 2009 about 672,000 people experienced homelessness each night, 42% of which had no shelter. 37% were families, most commonly single mothers with a child or two.
Fortunately we have seen an abundance of homelessness innovations geared at solving the issue in urban settings, empowering the homeless and giving the voice, and making nights on the street more bearable. Among the homelessness innovations are creative guerilla ads to drive awareness, soup kitchens for pets, barista training for homeless youth, buy-one-give one comforters, and an errand running service designed to employ the homeless. There is also plenty of photography, taken to share stories and drive awareness.
67 Homelessness Innovations
64
Real-Life Street Kid Portraits
Photographer Adam Taylor Takes Portraits of NYC Street Kids
63
Mobile Homeless Homes
The Paul Elkins Shelter is Almost Too Cozy Looking
62
Sturdy Refugee Residences
The NIDO Portable Shelter is an Efficient, Effective Homeless Refuge
61
Cardboard Origami Shelters
The Tine Hovsepian 'Cardborigami' Unfolds for the Homeless
60
Humanizing Street Shoots
Alex Welsh Exposes the Struggles of the Impoverished
59
Credit Crunch Prefabs
The L41 Home is Designed for Uneasy Economic Times
58
Guerilla Socialvertising
The Alex Seo Crisis Campaign Creates Awareness Through Startling Imagery
57
Homeless Photographers
The Trecho 2.8 Project Turns the Lens onto Another Reality
56
Cuddly Collapsable Igloos
The Georgi Djongarski I-Gloobox for Vagabonds is a Luxury Street Home
55
Homeless Hipster Shoots
The Original Hipster is a Social Commentary on Wealth and Class
54
Multipurpose Portable Shelters
The Famiglia Grande Helps Families on Their Road to Recovery
53
Egg Shaped Eco Abodes
Daihai Fei Builds a Sustainable Mobile Home in Beijing
52
Sinking Street Ads
The SAMU Social Campaign Brings Awareness to Homelessness
51
Homeless Sleeping Pods
The Urban Catepillar by Abby Brazier Shelters the Less Fortunate
50
Inflatable Homeless Shelters
The ParaSITE Project
49
Incisive Homeless Portraits
Oak Thitayarak's 'Walk On By' Series is Poignantly Real
48
Street Life Awareness Campaigns
Jan Moucha's Subversive Homelessness Posters
47
AIDS Art Shelters
The Social Art Box Project By Aakash Nihalani in NYC
46
Poverty-Focused Graffiti
Michael Aaron Williams Comments on the Global Homeless Epidemic
45
Activist Street Art
Fauxreel's 'The Unaddressed' Addresses Homelessness in Toronto
44
Tents on Wheels
Journeyman Mobile Shelter Bicycle Trailers Offer Tow-Behind Shelter
43
Guerrilla Poverty Ads
Homeless Father Bob Bins
42
Homeless-Care iPhone Apps
The iHobo App Gives You a New Perspective on Street-Living
41
Versatile Homeless Shelters
Veronika Scott Creates a Wearable Shelter for Those Who Need it Most
40
Pavement Bedsheets (UPDATE)
The Le-Trottoir Lets You Experience Homelessness at Home
39
One for One Blankets
The Company Store Gives Comforters to Homeless Children
38
Alternative Homeless Shelters
The EDAR Project Provides Mini Mobile Units
37
Soup Kitchens for Pets
The Animal Board
36
Vagabond Villas
Beautiful Spring Gardens is a Scintillating Shelter for the Homeless
35
Heartbreaking Homeless Robot Sculptures
'No-Botty' by David Emmite Predicts Bleak Machine Futures
34
Homeless Kidtography
'Abandoned' by Coral Fletcher Captures an Orphaned Child
33
Guerrilla Campaign for Homeless
Vitae Shelters
32
Traffic Cone Stages
Hedgehog Concert Pavilion Raises Awareness to Youth Homelessness
31
A mobile "home" for the homeless
they deserve some design too!
30
Heartfelt Personalized Art Kits
'Chloe's Magic Box' by Samia Kallidis Gives Hope to Homeless Kids
29
The Urban Shell Shelter for the Homeless
28
Homeless Emotionography
Keith Harris Looks Into the Souls of the Unfortunate in ‘On the Stre
27
Education Springboards
Juma Ventures Helps Youth in California Enter College
26
Homeless Bedtography
Ryann Ford's 'Where the Homeless Sleep' Shoot for Twelve Baskets Magazine
25
Charitably Chic Pieces
KNO Clothing is a One-for-One Donating Attire for Every Purchase Made
24
Vagabond Ventures
Swags for Homeless Supplies Displaced Residents with Mobile Housing
23
Homeless Internet Sensations
Panhandler Ted Williams Beats the Streets from One Viral Video
22
Graffitisements
Street Art Used in Canadian Youth Services Centre Ads
21
Pedal-Powered Libraries
Street Books Delivers Literature to Portland's Homeless
20
Cardboard Box Beds
Nikolay Suslov Designs for Nomads and the Homeless
19
Foreign Homeless Photomentaries
Christian Burkert Captures Homelessness in an Immaculate Culture
18
Street-Smart Campaigns
The Homeless Banner Campaign by Garbergs Brings Shelter to Those in Need
17
Virtuously Veritable Dining
The Hoxton Apprentice Serves Feel-Good Meals
16
Challenge-Based Charity Sites
'Do Whatever It Takes' Site Has People Doing Anything for Pledges
15
Online Promos for Panhandlers
"Pimp This Bum!" Helps Houston Homeless Man
14
Street Kid Barista Schools
Homeless Youth Get a Shot at Coffee-Making Jobs
13
Social Street Papers
Real Issues Magazine Empowers Communities Marginalized by Poverty
12
Homeless Cocoon Shelters
This Nifty Hwang Kim Design Offers Discrete, Portable Outdoor Protection
11
Globetrotting Hobotography
Mike Stewart Photographs the World's Homeless
10
Microloans for Homelessness?
Beyond the Cardboard Shares Stories, Interviews and Resources
9
Homeless Public Transit
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Gives Homeless Free Rides
8
Robots For The Homeless
Transformer Guerrilla Sleeping Spaces For the Shelterless
7
Pioneering Apprenticeship Programs
Fifteen Restaurant Offers Opportunities to Disadvantaged Youth
6
Homeless Errand Services
Task Turtle Lets the Homeless and Elderly Claim Odd Jobs
5
Compassion Through Metaphors
Brazilian Organization Uses Comparisons for the Homeless
4
Indigent Interns
Elle Magazine Offers Internship to Homeless Girl
3
Female-Focused Enterprises
Women's Bean Project Creates Jobs with Jewelry & Gourmet Food
2
Gourmet Do-Good Brownies
Greyston Bakery is a Social Enterprise
1
Recyled Computer Abodes
Bill Thomson and Ken Gerberick Create a Tech-Inspired Homeless Shelter
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Vibrant Mental Health Campaigns
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Modular Campsite Sleeping Bags
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Resilience-Focused Youth Initiatives
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Halloween Essentials Campaigns
IKEA Turns Home Essentials into Shields for Scary-Movie Nights
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The Mcdonald’s Night Posters Turn Post-Party Cravings into Glowing Urban Art
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Menu-Inspired Dorm Decor
Urban Outfitters x Chipotle Created the 'A Little Extra Dorm' Collection
Low Footprint Compact Houses
The Nano Micro House is an Affordable Living Solution
Renewed Urban Rooftops
The Heineken Seoul Rooftop Turns Unused Rooftops into Community Spaces
Spacious Compact Mobile Homes
The Tiny XXL Makes Downsizing More Realistic for Families
Minimalist Highly-Mobile Tiny Homes
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Swedish-Style Kitchen Pop-Ups
IKEA House Warming Showcases Cooking & Eating Essentials
Unhoused Individuals-Supporting Initiatives
Thrive Causemetics & Beauty 2 the Streetz Parttner
Reimagined Minimal Parisian Apartments
The Minimalist Cocoon Apartment Maximizes Function in Paris
Ultra-Minimalist Compact Dwellings
ADRO Reimagines Compact Living in Hong Kong
Decluttered Ad Campaigns
IKEA Unpackaged Goods Organizes Branded Products into Storage Containers
Expansive Social Good-Focused Partnerships
Hyundai is Committed to Community Wellbeing
Social Media Follower-Celebrating Initiatives
Streets of Toronto Marks 600k Instagram Followers
Senior Living Innovation Hubs
The AGE-WELL Innovation Studio Highlights Age-in-Place Solutions
Disability-Forward Housing Initiatives
The Kelsey Has Introduced a Comprehensive Advocacy Resource
Multifunctional City Lighting Infrastructure
[ui!] Urban Lighting Innovations Improves City Lights
Tiny Home Giveaway Initiatives
Tru Form Tiny Partners with Tiny Homes US to Celebrate 10 Year
Housing Crisis-Focused Campaigns
Habitat for Humanity Launched the Let’s Open the Door Campaign
Urban Pet Hydration Stations
The Jalashay Street Water Station Provides Water Access for Animals
Reimagined Micro Homes
The Mark VI Vic Tiny House Champions Comfort in Compact Form
Multitasking Volunteer Initiatives
Heineken Fan Volunteers Applies a Rarely Used Employee Benefit
Veterinary Care Access Initiatives
PetSmart Charities Notes Significant Charity Milestone
World Cup Travel Solutions
Kindred Built Its Home Swap Collection for World Cup Host Cities
Food Insecurity-Targeting Community Initiatives
Coordinated Care Focuses on Food Advocacy
Festival-Focused Toilet-Sharing Initiatives
The HEMA Home Toilet Initiative is Unique
Convertible Shelter Jackets
Shelter Wear is a Jacket Designed to Transform into a Compact Tent
Comprehensive Women Support Facilities
Houston Area Women’s Center Opens One Safe Place Houston
Pop-Up Sports Hospitality
Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival Turns Urban Spaces into Immersive Fan Hubs
Campus Food Insecurity Initiatives
Chartwells Higher Education Debuts 'United Through Food'
Pet Cancer-Focused Initiatives
Petco Love and Blue Buffalo Renew Their Collaborative Efforts
Mobile Cat Therapy Initiatives
Purina Cat Chow Takes the Therapod Experience to College Campuses
Social Good Coffee Vans
Nespresso and Change Please Partnered to Help End Homelessness
Canine-Focused Wintertime Wellness Campaigns
PetSmart Marks National Walk Your Dog Month
Photocopied Fast Food Campaigns
McDonald's Office Delivery Ads Scanned Popular Menu Items
Collaborative Domestic Violence Campaigns
Purina and Sarah Hyland Debut 'Courageous Together'
Food Service Employee-Focused Initiatives
SpotOn and Giving Kitchen Partner to Support Employees
Charitable Food Security Campaigns
Riunite Joins Forces with Meals on Wheels America
Communal Prevention Initiatives
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Runs Its Campaign
Disability Inclusion-Focused Initiatives
The World Health Organization Issues a Call for Proposals
Domestic Violence Awareness Campaigns
GlassesUSA.com Joins The National Domestic Violence Hotline
Tiny Home Designs
The Byron Bay Uses Two Bedrooms and a Picture Window to Maximise Space
Festive Home Exchange Opportunities
HomeExchange Promotes Canadian Stays for the Holiday Season
Food-Inspired Street Art
Knorr's Dish Pics Campaign Replaces Unwanted, Unsavory Images
Compact Urban Dwellings
Miami Tiny House Applies Modern Design to a Small Residential Footprint
Moving Company-Supported Food Initiatives
Go Mini’s & Move for Hunger Form a Strategic Partnership
Humanitarian Sleep Pod Designs
NapBox Highlights an Enclosed Sleep Pod Designed by Three Students
Inversion Living Concepts
The Tiny Getaway Explores Upside-Down Living in Compact Spaces
Awareness-Raising Shoe Store Concepts
Soles4Souls Canada Highlights What's Important This Season
Solar Powered Compact Homes
The E55000 Modular Off Grid Home Brings Expandable Living Upfront
Child Hunger-Curbing Campaigns
StarKist & Feed the Children Launch 'Put Child Hunger to Bed'
Hygiene-Focused Disaster Relief Initiatives
Procter & Gamble Runs Its Tide Loads of Hope Program
Community Housing Finders
Homes and Homies connects people for shared living and house hunting
Community-Centered Rooftop Events
Heineken's Rooftop Revival Turned Building Tops into Social Hubs
Semi-Permanent Office Sheltering
Orangebox Introduces the Campers & Dens System
Donation-Based Menu Deals
Domino’s Turns Pizza Purchases into Donations for Kids with Illnesses
Robust Childhood Cancer Campaigns
Childhood Cancer Canada Launches 'Let's Face the Unimaginable'
Honest Senior Living Campaigns
Benchmark Senior Living's In Their Own Words Shares Real Stories
Compact Urban Residences
The Stealth House by Specht Novak Redefines Private Living in Austin
Nutrition-Focused Temporary Dining Menus
Ford's Garage Launches the Fuel-Efficient Fare Menu
Solar Tribal Homes
Chhattisgarh Links Housing And Rooftop Solar For Tribal Families
Charitable Flat-Packed Cooking Stoves
The Fire for Life Stove Offers Safe, Fuel-Efficient Cooking
Charitable Hunger Relief Initiatives
Halo Top Makes a Charitable Contribution to Food Banks Canada
Wealth Gap Pop-Ups
Oxfam's Pie Society Served the People’s Pie & Mash and The Upper Crust Special
Digital Dog Shelter Campaigns
Rare Breed Has Initiated the Charitable Treat Your Shelter Promotion
Bathhouse Fundraising Campaigns
Bathe is Crowdfunding for an Indoor-Outdoor Bathhouse Facility
Social Good Clothing Campaigns
ZigZag and The Salvation Army Partnered to Prevent Fashion Waste
World Hunger Day Events
ZiMad Partnered with The Hunger Project on New Events in its Games
Children-Focused Fundraising Efforts
7-Eleven, Inc. Supports the Children's Miracle Network
Resilient Modular Bamboo Housing
Housing NOW by Blue Temple is Resilient in the Face of Disaster
Ice Shortage-Tackling Brand Campaigns
VEVOR Debuts the Free Ice for Game Nights Activation
Reading-Focused Compact Houses
Backcountry Tiny Homes Designs the Library Tiny House
Community Voices Installation
Unheard Voices Pavilion Spotlights Labor of London’s Night Workers
Accessibility-Focused Public Grants
Ontario Debuts Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone
Accessibility Infrastructure Enhancement Partnerships
SMILE Mass and Volunteer Ventures Partner
Redesigning Restful Moments
The ANEW Project Turns Daily Objects into Mini Retreats
Homelessness-Focused Architecture Studies
Architecture Without Borders Quebec Identifies Issues
Branded Social Impact Initiatives
Youth To The People Unveils the Community To The People Program
Affordable Smart Community Projects
Arrow Electronics and Habitat for Humanity Collaborate
Reimagined Annual Fundraising Events
Housing Works Restructures its Design on a Dime Benefit
Consumer-Centric Public Restroom Surveys
Bradley Company Notes Healthy Handwashing Survey Findings
Toronto Healing Shelters
Anduhyaun Emergency Shelter Nods to Indigenous Traditions to Aid Recovery
First Responder-Honoring Initiatives
U.S. Convenience Stores Launch 'We See You. We Thank You.'
Compact Family Homes
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Eco-Friendly Modular Refugee Shelters
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Pet Donation-Focused Basketball Partnerships
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Charitable Camp Initiatives
Tim Hortons' Annual Camp Day Initiative Returns on July 16
Event-Centric Camping Experiences
Huttopia Hosts World Cup Viewing and Activities at Its Campsites
Philanthropic Media Initiatives
New to The Street Has Introduced For the Causes™
Community-Focused Homemade Snack Initiatives
Bob's Red Mill and Toni Chapman Launch Neighbor Hour
Foldable Urban Canopies
Seoul Shade Provides Portable Shelter for Parks and Public Spaces
Charitable Home Improvement Initiatives
VEVOR Has Donated 10 Hybrid Heat Press Machines
Music Venue-Led Food Drives
The 9:30 Club Addresses Hunger and Food Waste
Branded Pet-Fostering Challenges
The PEDIGREE Foundation Launched the Foster 50 Challenge
Dual Loft Tiny Homes
The Goa Tiny Home Sleeps Up to Five People Within a 24-Foot Footprint
Humanized Waiting Pavilions
The De Wachtkamer Pavilion Reimagines Temporary Housing
Home Affordability-Focused Initiatives
Rocket Mortgage and Redfin Offer Savings of Up to $20,000
Charitble Children-Supporting Initiatives
Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation Donates $1.6 Million
Nourishing Pop-Up Houses
IKEA UK’s Iftar At Ours Made Space for Muslims to Break Fast Together
Trauma-Informed Healing Home Fundraisers
MoreYoga Joins Forces with Furnishing Futures
Cancer Survivor-Focused Mattress Giveaways
The United Breast Cancer Foundation Emphasizes Comfort
Charitable Children-Focused Bed Initiatives
DaBella Supports Sleep in Heavenly Peace Efforts
Ramadan Fundraising Campaigns
Food Banks Mississauga Hosts the Give 30 Fundraising Campaign
Domestic Violence Hotline Partnerships
The Mary Kay Ash Foundation Combats Domestic Violence
Reinvented Compact Living
An Affordable Housing Prototype Meets Modern Needs on a Micro Scale
Student-Focused Charitable Campaigns
Tackle Hunger & Collaborators Launch Fill the Fridge Campaign
Hurricane Relief Initiatives
InstaMovers Offers an Example of Corporate Social Responsibility
Charitable Household Appliance Initiatives
Circle Home Charity, DHL and Danby Appliances Partner
Long-Term Food Insecurity Efforts
Jack and Jill of America Debut a 100,000-Hour Service Challenge
Housing Innovation Symposiums
The Boston Society for Architecture Focuses on the Future of Housing
Creative Protest Archives
Pocket Protests Showcases Global Creative Resistance Against Fascism
Community-Driven Alzheimer's Fundraisers
Alzheimer Society of Toronto Hosts a Walk for Alzheimer's
Regional Wheelchair-Providing Organizations
Agape Mobility Ethiopia Addresses a Critical Need
Cultural Travel Stays
Connect With Local Families Abroad Through Adventure Homestay
Low-Impact Garden Dwellings
The Senior Shelter Offers a Connected Space for Aging Family Members