San Francisco is an extremely modern city in many ways, its recent innovation being the 311 city app that now allows citizens to report those in need of a homeless service.
The homeless service section of the app allows users to send the police, Homeless Outreach or Department of Public Health a notification about a homeless person in need. Whether it's an aggressive panhandler, growing encampment or a violently sick individual, the app will automatically route the report to the most appropriate service for dealing with the matter. A photo, details and location can all be included in an effort to help connect the city's large homeless community to the the vast amount of existing resources.
By using a mobile platform to help the homeless, the 311 app provides an excellent example of how technology can be used for social good.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Homeless Outreach Apps
- The development of apps for homeless outreach is a trend in using technology for social good.
- Mobile Platforms for Homelessness Services
- Designing mobile platforms for homelessness services is a trend in improving homeless outreach programs through technology.
- Community Resource Mapping for Homelessness
- The trend of community resource mapping for homelessness enables better outreach and care for people experiencing homelessness.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Tech Industry
- With the growing trend of homeless outreach apps, the tech industry can invest more resources in social innovation.
- Nonprofit Sector
- Developers of homeless outreach apps can create strategic partnerships with nonprofit organizations to improve homeless services.
- Public Health Services
- The development of mobile platforms for homelessness can improve communication between public health services and homeless individuals in need of care.
