What is the Problem?
There is a misconception around the idea of homelessness and what it truly means: being homeless cannot be as simply defined as those who live in the streets. The image of people in doorways or sleeping outside has become pervasive and ever present in the minds of citizens around the world.
In Spain, "It is estimated that there are around 40,000 homeless people. However, the official figure is 23,000 homeless people." (RAIS Fundación, 2014)
A European framework called ETHOS (European Typology of Homelessness and housing exclusion) was created in 2005 to improve the understanding of homelessness throughout Europe and to provide common criteria to tackle the problem on a larger level than just nationally.
ETHOS defines 13 types of homelessness, and rough sleeping (rooflessness) is only the most visible side to homelessness.
For more information you can view the complete document here.
What is Homelessness?
We’d like to invite you to read and download the image below, and share it with individuals and organizations that would like to undertstand homelessness better, so they can address it properly.
HE SELF Scale’s Four Quadrants based on citizenship participation & work
Sustainable Empowered Lifestyle (Q1): This quadrant is where people take control of his or her professional career and become active citizens. People at the highest level are considered inspirational success stories.
Motivated Lifestyle without Resources (Q2): This quadrant is where people are ready to take control of his or her professional career and become more active citizens, but need significant network, resources, and tools. People in this quadrant are considered potential or current Homeless Entrepreneurs.
Unmotivated Lifestyle with Resources (Q3): This quadrant is where people are currently working and lack interest in being active citizens. Assistance and therapy may play a strong role in their lives. People in this quadrant are considered potentially, if not already, homeless.
Despondent Assistance-based Lifestyle (Q4): This quadrant is where people are unemployed and lack interest in being active citizens. Assistance and therapy play an essential role in their livelihood. People in this quadrant are considered homeless.
How does Homeless Entrepreneur interact with each quadrant?
Sustainable Empowered LiFestyle: Homeless Entrepreneur actively collaborates with people in this quadrant and includes them in opportunities like conferences, interactive training and press that allow them to share their stories to inspire and empower people living in poverty found in Quadrants 2, 3 and 4.
Motivated Lifestyle without Resources: Homeless Entrepreneur actively collaborates with people in this quadrant and includes them in our Homeless Helpline, Homeless Voices program and HELP Program as well as opportunities that allow them to share their stories of progress to inspire and empower people living in poverty found in Quadrants 3 and 4. Homeless Entrepreneur aims to guide people in this quadrant towards Q1.
Unmotivated Lifestyle with Resources: Homeless Entrepreneur actively interacts with people in this quadrant and includes them in our Homeless Helpline and Homeless Voices program as well as opportunities that allow them to connect with organizations that provide assistance-based solutions and therapy. They are also invited to share their stories to inspire and empower people living in poverty found in Quadrants 4. Homeless Entrepreneur aims to inspire people in this quadrant towards Q2 when they are willing and able to participate.
Despondent Assistance-based Lifestyle: Homeless Entrepreneur actively interacts with people in this quadrant and includes them in our Homeless Helpline and Homeless Voices program (although this support may not be accepted) as well as opportunities that allow them to connect with organizations that provide assistance-based solutions and therapy. They are also invited to share their stories to inspire and empower people living in poverty found in their quadrant. Homeless Entrepreneur aims to inspire people in this quadrant towards Q3 when they are willing and able to participate.
What is one of the most important aspects of empowering people out of poverty?
PPPPs (Public-Private-People (Civic) Partnerships & Collaborations: The best way to educate society and create active stakeholders is by inviting both public and private civic organizations to participate in the process of generating work and housing opportunities through partnerships, collaborations, internships and volunteering .
What makes people become homeless?
Becoming homeless is not always related to mental health and/or drug problems as commonly believed. It is more often caused by issues related to losing one's job or the end of a relationship.
“Neither housing nor work ends homelessness by itself. Active citizen participation does.”
Homeless people need a support network that provides a different approach, so they can focus on participating as active citizens who are able to pay for their food, clothing and housing on their own.
What are we doing about it?
At HomelessEntrepreneur, we believe people in these situations must be empowered and given a voice, so society can develop a better understanding of the issues through the people who truly understand the problem.
In turn, a knowledge-based society will lead to recognition by private companies, NGOs, public administrations, universities and everyday citizens and, ultimately, open up the door for real change. i.e. sustainable work and dignified housing.
“Spain has an astonishing 3.4 million homes which currently sit empty.”
We believe smart cities and a common fund dedicated to reaching these goals will speed up the process of creating job opportunities and filling all of those empty homes.
Our Solutions
HELP Program
The HELP Program provides a support pathway to independence through incentivizing employment opportunities and fostering entrepreneurial activities. It is a holistic one-year program that targets poverty, works in conjunction with the Homeless Hostels Work program or already existing housing programs in order to create sustainable change via active citizenship, community and life purpose.
The Homeless Hostels Work Housing Program
#HomelessHostelsWork
The Homeless Hostels Work Housing Program, which is designed to turn a liability in the tourism sector into an asset for addressing homelessness.
Homeless Helpline Program
The Homeless Helpline, which collects real-time data from and about homeless people or those about to become homeless and connects them to available resources, aims to prevent and reduce homelessness.
Homeless Voices Program
Homeless Voices, which provides insight into the lives of homeless individuals to connect them with their community along with housing and employment opportunities, so they can grow their income and build their assets.
(COVID-19) Helpline for homeless
We offer emergency products and services to homeless people who want to work and to be active citizens.
Policy Change
Homeless Entrepreneur promotes a series of housing policy measures aimed at preventing homelessness and empowering people within the G7 and the EU to improve their living situation.