Using technology to improve outcomes for roughsleepers

Homelessness is a £1billion/year problem in the UK (Crisis,2019).

Much of this investment goes into reactive support (e.g. policing, temporary accommodation, floating support) which ultimately keeps those individuals with the most difficult problems exactly where they are (or getting worse) for many years.

We are proposing a feasibility study for a truly person-centred tech-based platform which foregrounds the rough sleeper themselves, with a specific focus on supporting improvements to motivation and self-esteem.

The goal for this feasibility study is to explore what is possible and appealing in design terms (for the rough sleepers themselves and around integration with current tech systems. We also want to systematically review the economic feasibility of this kind of technology becoming a self-sustaining business and the barriers to realising this potential.