Architects are often concerned with social concerns such as homelessness, insufficient housing facilities. When we walk around our cities we see beautiful glass covered buildings but right next to them would be piles of waste. The best architecture is not about high class, lavish buildings but about utilizing our modern resources to serve everyone.
The legal definition of homelessness is to lack a secure place where you are allowed to live. By the end of 2021 227,000 households around the UK were experiencing forms of homelessness. Those most at risk of becoming homelessness are those in low paying jobs, living in poverty or insecure housing.
There are 3 types of homelessness:
- Rough sleeping
This is the most dangerous and visible form of homelessness, it is usually when the individual ends up on the streets. The longer they are rough sleeping this increases their chances of developing trauma, mental health issues and drug misuse.
- Statutory homelessness
Main homelessness duty is when local authorities have a job to secure homes for certain groups of people. Thousands of people each year apply to their local authority for homelessness assistance. To receive this assistance there are criterias that must be met. The authorities can provide temporary accommodation to those who meet these conditions, especially families.
- Hidden homelessness
There are many people that are often not entitled to help with housing, or don’t inform the government of their housing difficulties, therefore they are not included in the official statistics. Most of those in this category of homelessness stay in hostels, B&B’s, overcrowded accommodation.
To help fix the inequality gap between the living standards, sustainable and effective designs can do this. The standardized design is fit for the wealthy and privileged, but designs have to be unique to the requirements of its users. Architects have to think holistically when designing the home to improve their overall quality of life.
Founder of ‘MASS Design Group’ Michael Murphy said in his TED Talk in 2016 talked about his ‘Lo-Fab’ technique which consist of 4 principles that he believe would change the way buildings are designed and constructed to be site specific, user-centric, environmentally and economically achievable. The 4 principles are
Hire locally
Source regionally
Train where you can
Invest in the dignity of where you are designing.
Micheal often referred to the idea that architecture has great potential and building gs can help heal people from the profound impact they have on people.
There are a few approaches that can be taken to improve homelessness;
- Emergency Shelters
These are shelters that allow the individuals to be protected from the harsh climates and have a safe place to stay for a few nights. However these are often designed poorly and described as feeling like a prison rather than a warm, welcoming area.
- Parasitic Housing
Homeless shelters often explore ‘parasitic’ architecture, this is when a shelter is attached onto existing structures in an attempt to solve the issue of funding. The ‘Homes for the Homeless’ project was when pods were attached to an ideally government owned site and was built from affordable materials.
- Tiny Houses
This is a more long term solution. Several charities are helping create tiny homes in a common space whilst offering amenities and welfare services. In Portland, Oregon there is a tiny house village called ‘Dignity Village’. This was formed organically and is run and governed by the residents. The support from the community allowed this to develop from tents to a heated home with facilities. What allowed this to be a success was the connection and relationship among the residents who feel as though they have support from one another. These homes allowed the residents to construct the house themselves which can be a preventative solution to homelessness therefore creating a chance for affordable housing that people can build themselves.
- Social Housing
In Finland homelessness has gone down by 35% since 2010 whereas in other areas of Europe it has increased. This is because of the Housing First scheme in which a permanent home is the first step before trying to resolve the issue of family breakdown or substance abuse. The emergency shelters in Finland were turned into permanent accommodation as well as building more housing which then were able to house 6,000 homeless individuals. This was shown to be more cost effective long term.
The key to having successful housing is the foundation being a good design that isn't dull and draining but invites light and warmth into those living there. It is also important to have the social support of governments and charities.
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