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DevLeague for Homelessness

A node.js application to help homeless outreach teams efficiently respond to community referrals

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Getting Started

  1. Fork and clone the repository.
  2. Install dependencies with: npm install
  3. Run the application with nodemon server.js
  4. Go to localhost:3000 on your web browser.

DevPost

Clearly describe the problem you addressed

Homeless Outreach teams needed an application that allows them to efficiently respond to community referrals.

Tell the story behind your project

We created an application that allows users to send a referral that can include a picture of the camp/site and its geolocation. Service providers receiving the referrals can view the camps on a map with markers to be able to easily locate camps. We wanted the application to be accessible to the majority of people on the island so we incorporated text integration. With text integration people without a smartphone can also refer individuals to service providers for assistance and outreach services.

Explain the impact if your solution were to be implemented

More homeless people would be able to be connected to the appropriate resources to assist with housing, employment, mental health services, substance use, family services, etc. for stabilization to be housed and sustain housing and living. With text integration, referrals can be made throughout a broader audience. Low income individuals who have free phones through the Lifeline Assistance Program (more widely known as the Obama Phone and commonly obtained through BlueJay wireless tents throughout the island) may also access this service. Text integration provides opportunities and access to resources for everyone to help everyone.

Explain why your solution is sustainable

This model is sustainable because it is a simple form for users to be able to communicate with the appropriate service providers to assist the homeless. For the service providers it allows a simple view with a map to locate campsites for outreach teams. Text integration can also later be expanded beyond this prototypes use to send automatic reminders for client’s appointments or it can even provide a way for the homeless to search for resources through text when they are not able to access computer and internet.

Describe how your team worked with the Department Challenge Sponse to identify and address key issues

Our team spoke to Kimo from IHS for information on their referral process, common emergencies outreach professionals respond to, how IHS utilizes data, how service providers other than IHS respond to and receive referrals, how IHS determines who is within their jurisdiction to aid the homeless, and what their current database is like. Our team members also spoke to a current and a former case manager at IHS, and other service providers from other agencies who work with the homeless on their perspectives of what they would find useful for their field work.

This application features

  • Google Maps
  • Geolocations
  • React
  • Sequelize
  • Twilio
  • And more!