Communicating Resources: A Web-based App for the Unhoused Community

As an advocate for the unhoused community and representing A Home For Everyone In DeKalb as the Executive Director I have wondered who communicates to the most vulnerable population. Decatur has done a pretty good job of fostering relationships thanks to the faith-based community, City of Decatur police and the library system.  

Over the years, I saw limited communication to the most vulnerable population during severe weather and emergency situations. Oftentimes, I would reach out to street administrators to spread communication to unhoused patrons that water is off in the entire community. I challenged my brain to think outside the box, and submitted a proposal seeking to develop an unhoused communication tool that was easy to navigate for unhoused patrons. 

In early August of 2024, I was introduced to the Georgia Tech Computer Science Junior Design Capstone program. Here I had the pleasure to meet with some amazing first and second semester students and share the complex problems I encountered. The students met with unhoused patrons in person and created a survey that was completed by twenty five patrons sharing ideas. Students identified the problem after I shared how unhoused patrons have to navigate services, often facing significant barriers when trying to access essential resources. 

The students designed a web based app that seeks to bridge the gap by offering a centralized, user-friendly platform to deliver critical information. Unhoused individuals need to find information quickly and clearly. Through the unhousedgeorgians.com website, real-time weather alerts, searchable maps of resources ( food, transportation, service providers and warming/cooling centers), and a calendar of community meetings are available. 

I am so proud of the amazing students from listening sessions, design sessions, feedback sessions and reaching the goal of executing the product at the Capstone Expo on April 21. Students presented to peers and Georgia Tech professors explaining the product, demonstrated the product and received outstanding reviews.

Meet the team- Courtney Costley: Full-Stack Developer, Jackie Jones: Full-Stack Developer, Vijay Shastri: Full-Stack Developer, Chrystabel Sunata: Full-Stack Developer, V Verity: Project Manager and Gregory White: A Home For Everyone In DeKalb. Congratulations to our Georgia Tech graduates- Jackie Jones, Chrystabel Sunata and V Verity. Gregory White will be the administrator of the site and look forward to working with service providers.     

Future plans are to expand the unhoused communication tool across the Atlanta region and network with hospitals, service providers, extended stay hotels, school systems/colleges and universities.   

If you would like to be added to the site  or have additional questions please reach out to Gregory White, Executive Director at the following email:

gregwhite@ahomeforeveryoneindekalb.org