PROBLEM

Due to compounding factors such as the housing crisis,

domestic/family violence, family breakdown, financial
struggles, and more, our youth from ages 15-24 struggle
with homelessness, not having access to safe/secure
housing, transport, and education/working facilities.
Requirements
To resolve this problem, a service must be designed to
support our Homeless Youth through their journey out of
homelessness, and back into mainstream society, granting
them the same opportunities that are gifted to all those who
are fortunate enough to avoid homelessness. The service
should act as a symbol of hope to all homeless youth, so
that they recognise the potential to escape their dire
situation.
Criteria
Based on previous research it was discovered that the use
of vehicles is an extremely useful and versatile way to
support homelessness as our youth are often too reluctant
to seek help, thus vehicles must be incorporated into the
design as well as a way to seek out the homeless rather
than waiting for them to seek us. To guide and aid our
youth throughout the process, care-workers and medical
staff will also be required throughout the service, as well as
a way to safely provide transportation and accommodation
for our youth. After all these necessary requirements are
satisfied, homeless youth will be able to focus on education
and work, which we must help provide.
 Arguably one the biggest
concern around our Homeless
Youth is that they often do not
seek help due to reasons such
as lack of knowledge of the area
they reside in, fear of possible
consequences, fear of strangers
and more. Uber HELP allows our
youth to easily summon support
at the click of a button,
depending on if it’s a medical or
general need.

Uber HELP being an extremely versatile

and functional design, provides various support
types to aid the lives of our Homeless Youth. This
is seen as drivers that are support workers can
provide ‘HELP’ boxes, containing clothing, food
and water, whereas health-care workers for the
service when summoned with the medical button
are provided with first aid. Drivers can also offer
rooms in their houses to Homeless Youth
providing a service that’s more than just couch-
surfing. The obvious function of this design is for
transportation, where the support vehicle can
transport Homeless Youth to school, work, and
other locations, supporting them to escape
homelessness through education and occupation.
Finally, Homeless Youth can use Uber HELP
vehicles to learn to drive, helping them receive
their license to be able to drive themselves.
This service does not rely on government funding, but instead utilises Uber’s
range to gain donations from regular Uber users through a ‘round up’ type
service. Additionally, the real estate of the cars is used to display advertisements
on metallic stickers on the sides of the Ubers.

Through Uber HELP, our Homeless Youth are supported in all the necessities
including accommodation, food/water, and overall care, thus they can focus on
such leisure’s as school and work to help them get back on their feet.
 Bibliography
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