In this presentation, students Varun Mahatme, Christian Ebsworth, Rosie Dupont, Abubakar Mohamud and Katrin Gronfeldt created the Hope Hub: Tackling homelessness. At the Hope Hub, people can build an Uber-style rating system and earn credits and vouchers. No address is needed. The key issue is connections as a support network is required. ThinkNation Brighton Digital Festival: On Saturday 13th October, 27 young people from diverse backgrounds came together from across the region, and Sweden, to explore how technology can help with housing, homelessness, mental health, and beach pollution.

1. HOW CAN
TECHNOLOGY HELP
HOMELESSNESS IN
BRIGHTON….

2. Introduction…
Some Facts
•1 in 69 people in Brighton & Hove are homeless
•This includes people on the streets and ‘sofa surfing’
•Most of these people all have common needs – shelter, food and drink, employment
The Problem
•One of the biggest barriers is not being contactable.
• We wanted to develop an idea that enabled people to be able to be contacted
Our
Solution
• So we’ve developed ‘The Hope Hub’….
Elements
•The Hope Hub consists of three key elements:
1. App
2. Kiosk
3. Hub

3. The APP
Overview
1. THE APP
- What does the app do? (jobs (available & applied for),
person search & locating hostels to see if they have
availability

4. The KIOSK
Overview
1. THE KIOSK
- Device that will be located
around the City to enable
use to the app that we have
just discussed.
- Located : popular places e.g.
Churchill Square, Brighton
Train Station or The Pier
- We would need to think
about power,
weatherproofing and
security.

5. The Hub
First floor and second floor
The first floor has a collection and giving
area for public donations and for
distributing items to the homeless. There
is also a help desk in case anyone needs
support or has a question.
The second floor is primarily for
learning, support & development. There
is also a laundry and basic necessities
area to give the homeless access to
clean clothes and basic requirements.

6. The Hub
Third & Fourth Floor
- 3rd floor & 4th floor will be
designed primarily for people with
problems such as those with
mental issues, drug related issues.
These would be treated in the
middle room.

7. The Persona…
Name: Bethany
Age: 20
Brief Background: Parents were
drug abusers – forced herself to
leave that environment at just 16
years old!
Issues She Faces:
• Mental Health Issues – anxiety and
dyslexia
• Self-esteem
• Embarrassment
• Loneliness
Her Challenge:
• Very capable & intelligent but she
had no fixed address for
employment and very few
connections in Brighton to help

8. ‘A DAY IN THE LIFE OF BETHANY…’
DSFS
FSF
SFSFS
AM
NightLunch/
PM
Evening
• Wakes up, goes to kiosk
• Authenticates using finger
• Automatically accepted for job
based on ‘uber style’ rating
• Checks her credit (which is the
new currency to be used rather
than cash – this means the credit
cannot be stolen or miss-used)
and buys shower before work
• Walks the dog
• Dog owner accesses app to
give rating & payment
• Receives payment & tip –
in credits.
• Goes to kiosk to get code
for bagel in hub.
• Goes to kiosk to accept
another job in soup kitchen
• Goes to hub, does job in
kitchen & gets more credits
• Goes to kiosk to claim
credits and BOT does mood
check with her
• BOT marks her as vulnerable
• Vulnerable status = extra
emergency credits
• Goes to hub to buy
emergency accommodation
• Access now to clean bed,
privacy & over night
support worker

9. In Summary…
Homelessness is
complex and there
are lots e.g. street
sleepers / couch
surfers
Key issue is
connections & a
support network is
required
The Hope Hub is a
three tier system
that uses an app,
kiosk and building
to connect people
and meet these
needs
The Hope Hub uses
technology to
connect homeless
people with
services avoiding
cash and the need
for a permanent
address
It’s scalable and
other apps can be
connected. The
Hope Hub is JUST
THE STARTING
POINT….