Week 11: Case Study Group: FEP-KLTSA Business Challenge

Week 11

Elevator Pitch: Tackling Homelessness with Community-Driven Tiny Home Villages

Introduction

    In our neighbourhood, one of the most pressing issues is homelessness. It’s a complex problem that affects not just those who experience it but also the wider community. Homelessness leads to a range of social, economic, and health problems, from increased crime rates to higher healthcare costs and a greater strain on public services. We believe in finding a creative and sustainable solution to this problem, which is why we propose the development of community-driven tiny home villages. This initiative aims to provide affordable, safe, and dignified housing for the homeless while fostering a sense of community and self-sufficiency.

Understanding the Problem

    Homelessness is not just about a lack of shelter. It encompasses a broad spectrum of issues, including mental health problems, substance abuse, unemployment, and a lack of social support. Traditional shelters, while providing temporary relief, often fail to address the underlying causes of homelessness and do not offer a path to long-term stability. Additionally, the stigma associated with homelessness can make it difficult for individuals to reintegrate into society, find employment, and maintain stable housing.

Our Solution: Tiny Home Villages

    Tiny homes offer a creative and effective solution to homelessness. These small, affordable, and easy-to-construct dwellings provide a permanent housing option that can restore dignity and stability to those in need. However, our vision goes beyond merely providing shelter. We propose the development of community-driven tiny home villages, which include the following key components:

Affordable Housing: Tiny homes are cost-effective to build and maintain. By utilizing innovative construction methods and sustainable materials, we can significantly reduce the cost per unit. This makes it feasible to develop entire villages of tiny homes, providing a scalable solution to homelessness.

Community Integration: Each tiny home village will be designed to foster a sense of community. Shared spaces such as communal kitchens, gardens, and recreational areas will encourage residents to interact, support one another, and build strong social networks. This sense of belonging is crucial for the mental and emotional well-being of individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

Support Services: To address the root causes of homelessness, our tiny home villages will include on-site support services. This may include mental health counseling, addiction treatment, job training programs, and financial literacy workshops. By providing these services within the community, we can offer holistic support that empowers residents to achieve long-term stability and self-sufficiency.

Employment Opportunities: Our initiative will also focus on creating job opportunities for residents. This can be achieved through partnerships with local businesses, social enterprises, and community projects. By providing residents with meaningful work, we can help them regain their independence and contribute positively to the community.

Sustainability: Sustainability is at the heart of our project. The tiny homes will be built using eco-friendly materials and equipped with energy-efficient systems. Community gardens will not only provide fresh produce but also promote environmental stewardship and healthy living.

Implementation Plan

Site Selection and Partnerships: The first step is to identify suitable sites for the tiny home villages. We will work closely with local governments, non-profits, and community organizations to secure land and obtain the necessary permits. Partnerships with construction companies, architects, and suppliers will be crucial to ensure the homes are built efficiently and to a high standard.

Funding and Resources: Funding will be sourced from a mix of public and private investments, grants, and donations. Crowdfunding campaigns and corporate sponsorships can also play a significant role in raising the necessary capital. Additionally, we will seek in-kind donations of materials and volunteer labor to reduce costs.

Design and Construction: Once funding is secured, we will begin the design and construction phase. Community input will be essential to ensure the village meets the needs and preferences of its future residents. A phased approach will allow us to build and house individuals incrementally while continuing to raise funds for further development.

Community Engagement: Engaging the broader community is vital for the success of the project. Educational campaigns, community meetings, and volunteer opportunities will help garner support and reduce any potential opposition. By highlighting the benefits of the project, such as reduced strain on public services and increased local economic activity, we can build widespread backing for the initiative.

Ongoing Support and Evaluation: Once the tiny home village is operational, ongoing support will be provided to residents. Regular evaluations will be conducted to assess the effectiveness of the services and make any necessary adjustments. Success stories and data on the positive impacts of the project will be shared with stakeholders to maintain support and funding.

Challenges and Solutions

Before pandemic exposed there are quite of number of homelessness, but after pandemic there are more homelessness compared to before. This is because, more people are losing jobs, suffering from a loss of income as well as mental health issues due to the stressful environment (Sofea Azahar, 2021). There are a few challenges when facing to tackle the homelessness. One of the challenges is, most of homeless person are too lazy to find jobs and start begging for money in public. For example, in Kuala Lumpur there are many homeless person that seems find and healthy. If we provide them with a home that they would not have to pay the rent, they will just sleep at home and begging for money in public rather than find a proper job to support themselves. Thus, the solution for this is, we need to educate homeless person with knowledge and morality to find a purpose in their life. Based on study conducted by Kuala Lumpur City Hall, the most recent figure of homelessness in KualaLumpur stood at around 1500 - 2000 and a substantial increase from 600 in 2014 (Sofea Azahar, 2021).

Next, the problems we faces in tackling homelessness is economic factors. This is because, day by day inflation keep increasing and government cannot effort to accommodate and fully help the homeless. For example, current government had to tackle the burden before current prime minister want to tackle homelessness issues. The burden left by past minister make it hard to settle all in one shot and need to have a proper and better strategy in tackling all the problems and burden. In conclusion, all parties need to take a role and help each parties in tackling all the problems. If all politics parties united without dividing and fighting each other, there are no problems that cannot be solved.

Last but not least, lack of affordable housing can be one of the problem in tackling homelessness. This is because, day by day, year by year the house price keep increasing. Many regions experience soaring housing costs, which outpace wage growth and limit access to stable housing for low-income individuals and families. Thus, with this lack of affordable options often leads to increased homelessness, as people are unable to secure housing within their financial means (Sofea Azahar, 2021).

6. Conclusion

    Our proposal to develop community-driven tiny home villages offers a creative, sustainable, and effective solution to homelessness in our neighbourhood. By providing affordable housing, fostering a sense of community, and offering comprehensive support services, we can empower individuals to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society. With the right partnerships, funding, and community engagement, this initiative has the potential to make a significant impact and serve as a model for addressing homelessness in other regions. Together, we can create a neighbourhood where everyone has a place to call home and the opportunity to thrive.

References

Azahar, S. (2021, January 22). Tackling the problem of homelessness. MalaysiaNow. https://www.malaysianow.com/opinion/2021/01/22/tackling-the -problem-of-homelessness