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
66
Real-Life Street Kid Portraits
Photographer Adam Taylor Takes Portraits of NYC Street Kids
65
Mobile Homeless Homes
The Paul Elkins Shelter is Almost Too Cozy Looking
64
Sturdy Refugee Residences
The NIDO Portable Shelter is an Efficient, Effective Homeless Refuge
63
Penniless Promotions
Homeless Branded as Living Advertisements
62
Cardboard Origami Shelters
The Tine Hovsepian 'Cardborigami' Unfolds for the Homeless
61
Humanizing Street Shoots
Alex Welsh Exposes the Struggles of the Impoverished
60
Credit Crunch Prefabs
The L41 Home is Designed for Uneasy Economic Times
59
Guerilla Socialvertising
The Alex Seo Crisis Campaign Creates Awareness Through Startling Imagery
58
Homeless Photographers
The Trecho 2.8 Project Turns the Lens onto Another Reality
57
Cuddly Collapsable Igloos
The Georgi Djongarski I-Gloobox for Vagabonds is a Luxury Street Home
56
Homeless Hipster Shoots
The Original Hipster is a Social Commentary on Wealth and Class
55
Multipurpose Portable Shelters
The Famiglia Grande Helps Families on Their Road to Recovery
54
Egg Shaped Eco Abodes
Daihai Fei Builds a Sustainable Mobile Home in Beijing
53
Sinking Street Ads
The SAMU Social Campaign Brings Awareness to Homelessness
52
Homeless Sleeping Pods
The Urban Catepillar by Abby Brazier Shelters the Less Fortunate
51
Inflatable Homeless Shelters
The ParaSITE Project
50
Incisive Homeless Portraits
Oak Thitayarak's 'Walk On By' Series is Poignantly Real
49
Street Life Awareness Campaigns
Jan Moucha's Subversive Homelessness Posters
48
AIDS Art Shelters
The Social Art Box Project By Aakash Nihalani in NYC
47
Poverty-Focused Graffiti
Michael Aaron Williams Comments on the Global Homeless Epidemic
46
Activist Street Art
Fauxreel's 'The Unaddressed' Addresses Homelessness in Toronto
45
Tents on Wheels
Journeyman Mobile Shelter Bicycle Trailers Offer Tow-Behind Shelter
44
Guerrilla Poverty Ads
Homeless Father Bob Bins
43
Homeless-Care iPhone Apps
The iHobo App Gives You a New Perspective on Street-Living
42
Versatile Homeless Shelters
Veronika Scott Creates a Wearable Shelter for Those Who Need it Most
41
Pavement Bedsheets (UPDATE)
The Le-Trottoir Lets You Experience Homelessness at Home
40
One for One Blankets
The Company Store Gives Comforters to Homeless Children
39
Alternative Homeless Shelters
The EDAR Project Provides Mini Mobile Units
38
Soup Kitchens for Pets
The Animal Board
37
Vagabond Villas
Beautiful Spring Gardens is a Scintillating Shelter for the Homeless
36
Heartbreaking Homeless Robot Sculptures
'No-Botty' by David Emmite Predicts Bleak Machine Futures
35
Homeless Kidtography
'Abandoned' by Coral Fletcher Captures an Orphaned Child
34
Guerrilla Campaign for Homeless
Vitae Shelters
33
Heat Map of the Homeless
Can You Say Big Brother?
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
Related Ideas
Hippie Utopia Photography
Benoit Paille's Rainbow Gathering Series is a Breath of Fresh Air
Real-Life Street Kid Portraits
Photographer Adam Taylor Takes Portraits of NYC Street Kids
25 Striking Sleeping Bags
From Chic Emergency Gear to Hanky Panky Camping Gear
Shadow Graffiti
Kenny Random Paints Silhouette Graffiti Interacting With Other Street Art
Sturdy Refugee Residences
The NIDO Portable Shelter is an Efficient, Effective Homeless Refuge
Youth Activism
Jennifer Corriero Explains How Youth Can Leverage Technology To Inspire Others
Cork Camping Cabins
The Dideia Tree House Puts a Stopper in Traditional Tent Design
Celebrity Home Libraries
Judy Berman Photographs Libraries of the Rich and Famous
Redefining Education
Sir Ken Robinson Makes a Case for More Creativity in Children's Education
Pre-Fab Flatpack Shelters
The Pre-Fab AbleNook Offers Economical Disaster Relief Housing
Sustainable Hipster Fashion
'Threads for Thought' is Eco and Donates Proceeds for Good
25 Novel Library Designs
From Organically Frothy Libraries to Reading Towers
Rethinking Creativty
Elizabeth Gilbert Offers a Unique Approach to the Creative Process
Cuddly Collapsable Igloos
The Georgi Djongarski I-Gloobox for Vagabonds is a Luxury Street Home
Domed Camping Enclosures
The Spherical BubbleTree Tent is a Futuristic, Pneumatic Abode
Poetic Portraits
These Text Masterpieces by Anatol Knotek Speak for Themselves
Haitian Artist Wearables
Moral Fibers is a Socially Innovative Start-Up Building Human Capital
Glass Box Libraries
The Bloor/Gladstone Library is an Incredible Use of Glass
Gaming Bus Stops
These Yahoo Bus Shelters Feature Video Games to Pass the Time
Cracked Street Art (UPDATE)
OaKoAk Graffiti Artist's Work Interacts With Its Surroundings
Modular Libraries
Studio Parade Aligns Books into Works of Art
Outdone Papercraft Robots (UPDATE)
The 7FT Gundam Blows the 4FT Freedom Gundam Out of the Water
Playful Street Photography
Andrew Quilty Captures a More Hopeful Side of Life
Surreal Scenic Shoots
Adam Taylor Photographs Epically Beautiful Landscapes
Well-Wasted Cuisine
FoodCycle Uses Surplus to Feed Local Communities
Emotional Celeb Caricatures
Dav Andrew's Celebrity Portraits Show Distorted Beauty and Emotion
Stylish Social Good Sacks
The Wayuu Taya Bags are Handmade and for a Good Cause
Chic Living Room Libraries
Montana Mobler Helps You Organize Your Own Personal Library
Chic Tyvek Footwear
These Civic Duty Recyclable Sneakers Make Use of Packaging Material
Spiritual Street Art
Stephan Doitschinoff's Work Has a Heavy Religious Undertone
Simple Pop-Up Shelters
Atelier OPA Creates Simple Cardboard Havens That Takes Seconds to Make
One-for-One Boating Tees
The United by Blue Winter Collection Evokes a Public-Spirited Mindset
American History-Related Memes
Artist Shawn Huckins Releases Comedic Historical Portraits
Vibrant Geometric Urban Art
Urban Mural Artist Woozy Creates Astounding Outdoor Murals
Alternative Education Enterprises
KO2 is a Community Interest Company with a Love for Dirtbiking
Impromptu Nomad Tents
The Archinoma is Ready to Go at the Drop of a Hat
Poverty-Focused Graffiti
Michael Aaron Williams Comments on the Global Homeless Epidemic
Whimsical Woodland Campaigns
Brooks' Unquestionable British Tradition Ad is Fashionably Foresty
Fair Trade Lifestyle Brands
People Tree is a Stylish Social Business Spearhead
Street Art Documentations
JetSet Graffiti Follows the Pro-Graffiti LA Freewalls Projects
Animated Graffiti Ads
The Smart Fortwo A Big Idea Campaign Features Playful Characters
LEGO Mud Bricks
The Meco'Press Turns Regular Mud Into Actual Building Blocks
Inflatable Pole-Less Tents
The Cave Tent by Heimplant is Super Easy and Convenient
Discarded Designer Duds
Rags2Riches is a Social Business That Creates Handbags Out of Scraps
Mysterious Movie Marketing
The Dark Knight Rises Marketing Campaigns Entice Through Secrecy
Corrupted Cranium Art
Charles Williams Creates Fractured Faces for GQ Magazine
Community-Empowering Food Systems
DC Central Kitchen is a Social Enterprise with a Long-Term Focus
Killer Fornication Campaigns
The CPD Prevention and Citizenship Ads Advocate Safe Sex
Versatile Homeless Shelters
Veronika Scott Creates a Wearable Shelter for Those Who Need it Most
Blake Mycoskie, Creator of TOMS Shoes (INTERVIEW)
Heroic Crowdsourced Art Auctions
Skeletor Saves is a Charitable Collection of He-Man Artwork
One for One Blankets
The Company Store Gives Comforters to Homeless Children
Timber Truck Campaigns
Wooden Axxis Ads Encourage Contemporary Construction Techniques
Sustainable Stylized Tees
Sutsu Clothing Offers Environmentally Aware and Fair Trade Products
Crowdsourced Christmas Songs
Matt Berry Brings Festive Cheer to the Community
Personified Headlight Captures
Nanan Creates Figures Out of Lamps in His Urban Lights Series
Wiry Street Art
These Du Yi Graffiti Seem to Come Alive Like Great Metallic Beasts
Heartbreaking Homeless Robot Sculptures
'No-Botty' by David Emmite Predicts Bleak Machine Futures
Avian Graffiti Mash-Ups
Angry Birdsky is a Hilarious Combinatin of Street Art and App Games
Socially Responsible Neckwear
FIGS Ties Combines Luxe Materials and a One-for-One Model
Socially Conscious Arm Bands
Mud Love Charity Bracelets the New Silly Bandz of 2012
Fair Trade Underwear
Pants to Poverty is a Hip Social Enterprise That Raises “Underwearness"
Drink 1, Give 1
Every Bottle of 1for1 Water Sold Brings Clean Water to Someone in Haiti
Community Produce Narratives
Food Connect Brisbane Invites You to Know More About Your Meal
Popstar Apocalyptic Armor
The Ian Finch-Field Steampunk Robot Arm is Justin Bieber Approved
Energy Poverty Entrepreneurs
Solar Sister Targets Women to Sell Lamps and Improve Livelihoods
Personified Food Pictorials
Teo Zirinis Illustrates Edibles as Cartoons Based on Puns
Curated Ethical Boxes
Monthly Blissmoboxes are Packed With Social Goodness
Chic Robotic Ads
The Versace For H & M Commercial is Perplexingly Posh
Stencil Art Contests
Show Your Talent at the Blek le Rat HUGO Man Competition
Education Springboards
Juma Ventures Helps Youth in California Enter College
Food Desert Distributors
The Corbin Hill Road Farm Supplies Fresh Produce to Those in Need
Organically Frothy Libraries
'Biodigital Processes in Architecture' Promotes Calm Creativity
Fresh Perspective Posts
The Social Business Visit to the FoodCycle Cambridge Hub
School Bags for Good
The Ark Collective Backpacks Help with a 'Get to Give' Model
Symmetrical Street Portraits
Stanislava Pinchuk's Graffiti Guards Are Intricate and Serene
Collaborative Creation Gigs
Good for Nothing Brings People Together for Fast-Track 'Doing'
African-Sourced Sneakers
SAWA's Classic Shoes Strike a Balance Between Style and Substance
Online Marketplaces for Good
KarmaGoat is Like Craigslist But Proceeds Go to Charity
Charitable Boot Businesses
Roma Provisions Works to Keep Kids Safe
Vagabond Ventures
Swags for Homeless Supplies Displaced Residents with Mobile Housing
Self-Indulging Sleep Campaigns
These Orthocrin Mattress Print Ads Give You a Pat on the Back
Homeless Internet Sensations
Panhandler Ted Williams Beats the Streets from One Viral Video
Pedal-Powered Libraries
Street Books Delivers Literature to Portland's Homeless
Superhero Charity Contests
Join the MASScanvas Challenge 5: Stane Lee for a Good Cause
Popping Pink Awareness Ads
Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin Shine in MAC's Newest Viva Glam Campaign
Childish Pacifier Campaigns
The Aralik Dernegi 2011 Ads Encourage Turkey Residents to Grow Up
Social Mission Totes
Cause Boutique Promotes a Variety of Worthy Causes
Hidden Homeless Captures
The Soham Gupta 'People of the Bridge' Series Visits Dark Railroads
Kevin Moshayed, Founder of Ark Collective (INTERVIEW)
Buy 1 Backpack, Give Another
Poo Poo Philanthropy
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Invests in Toilet Technology
Street-Smart Campaigns
The Homeless Banner Campaign by Garbergs Brings Shelter to Those in Need
Realistic Projected-Face Robots
The ‘Mask-bot' Uses 2D Photos to Create 3D Facial Expr
Virtuously Veritable Dining
The Hoxton Apprentice Serves Feel-Good Meals
Blind-Assisting Robots
Robotic Guide Dog is a Groundbreaking Creation for the Seeing Impaired
Challenge-Based Charity Sites
'Do Whatever It Takes' Site Has People Doing Anything for Pledges
Robotic Walking Aids
Toyota Health Robots Help the Eldery and the Incapacitated Move Easily
Alison Lowndes, Executive Ops Director of KO2 Adventures (INTERVIEW)
Skewered Whale Street Art
These Sea Shepherd Whale Campaigns Will Get You Hooked on Activism
Charitable Fitness Pedometers
Striiv Combines Health with Giving
Sustaining Rural Development
Barefoot College Supports Professionals in the Majority World
H2O-Supporting Coffee Companies
Three Avocados Helps to Provide Clean Water in Uganda
Neighborhood Energy Farms
Community Solar Gardens are Sprouting Up Everywhere
Handcrafted Sustainable Tea
Namasthe Tea Co. Creates an Ethical Balance
Ball-Launching Robots
The iFling May One Day Play Fetch with Your Dog
Health Food Subscriptions
Get Lollihop Snack Boxes Delivered Right to Your Door
One-Saves-Two Vaccines
'OneShot Global' Offers Meningitis Protection Using the TOMS Giving Model
Homeless Public Transit
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Gives Homeless Free Rides
Crowdsourced Charity Reviews
GreatNonProfits is a Website that Supports Good Causes
Tim Draimin, Executive Director of Social Innovation Generation (INTERVIEW)
Part Two
Failed Festive Soiree Guides
'The Rules of Attending an Office Holiday Party' Gets it Right
Eco-integrated Libraries
The Alberto Kalach Library Blends Nature and Literature
Lovable Doll Campaigns
The Polly Pocket Ogilvy Ads Use Subtle Details to Show Significance
Homeless Errand Services
Task Turtle Lets the Homeless and Elderly Claim Odd Jobs
Transit Value Donations
MetroChange Asks Commuters to Give Their Unused MetroCard Balances
Cause-Driven Virtual Shopping
Community Collection Donates 20 Percent of Sales to Charity
Healthy Happiness Hubs
'Social adVentures' Supports the Community Through Enjoyment
Robotic Bumper Cars
The Bionic Bopper Car Lets Users Duke it Out Safely
Digital Holiday Donations
The eBay Give a Toy Store Lets You Donate Toys by Scanning
Child Charity Tees
Donate to Maison Martin Margiela x Vogue FNO Japan for Disadvantaged Youth
Socially-Conscious Online Bookstores
Better World Books Aims to Alleviate Poverty Through Literacy
E-Book Libraries
The Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Debuts the World's First e-Library
Anti-Stigma Food Companies
The Healthy Hub Creates Jobs for People with Mental Illnesses
Tiana Reid, Editor and Community Manager of SocialBusiness.org (INTERVIEW)
Misshapen Produce Meals
The Feeding the 5,000 Initiative Sheds Light on Wasted Food
Futuristic Eco Libraries
The Waalse Krook Library is a Sleekly Modern and Green Repository