The U.N. estimates there to be about 1.1 billion people suffering from homelessness. That’s about 14% of the world’s populations that do not have a roof over their head on a daily basis. Fortunately efforts around the world are being done in their respected countries to create opportunities to solve this issue.
In London a group named Busses 4 Homeless have been turning double decker busses for homeless people. The busses not only requires shelter for the people but the buses are intended for a 3 month period for the individual to help them reintegrate back into society. The buses are used to provide warm meals and a place for them to stay. Busses 4 Homeless also provides mentoring for these people such as teaching them soft and vocational skills to land them a job interview. They will also further the persons training once they get an interview in order for them to succeed. Even after the person leaves the busses they have the doors welcomed to them for further mentoring. Each bus fits 16 bunk beds and comfortable fits 40 people. The busses also have a full commercial kitchen on the lower levels and dining on the uppers. Some of the busses also have a full floor with computers for teaching and tutoring and some also have tables for yoga or wellness treatments. Their goal is to provide 14,600 people with a place to stay for the night and integrate them back to society.
Clear Channel Sweden is one of the largest outdoor marketing agencies across the world. Having countless displays across 30 countries and presenting messages to local communities to bring awareness of the weather or urgent news. In some of their locations once the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius (19 degrees F) they will provide instructions for homeless people to find shelters that will take them in. The display will show you how far the shelter is from their current location and directions how to get there. In Stockholm Sweden Clear Channel partnered with the local government in the ‘Out Of Home’ (OOH) Campaign to help those without shelter in the cold winter months. Clear Channel hope to implement these condition in the other locations around the world that have their displays.
In India, South and Southeast India an organization named billionBricks have created an irreversible tent named weatherHYDE for homeless people. In the cold seasons of the year the tents are designed to keep cold temperatures out. While in the hot seasons the tents have reflective panels meant to keep hot weather away from the canvas. billionBricks vision statement is to create solutions that are creative, scalable, and innovative opportunities to solve the problems poverty brings about. They have other designs than the tents that are in the works to better society in these impoverished areas of the world.
All around the world the problem of homelessness is a grand dilemma. Organizations like billionBricks, Clear Channel and Busses 4 Homeless are tackling the problem with their innovative and creative solutions. Any one can help by donating or volunteering. You can do your part and support these organizations by clicking and visiting their websites.
Homelessness Efforts 