It goes without saying that the western economic model thrives on continuous innovation. Firms are constantly developing new products and services that make our lives simpler and their profits bigger. However, as the rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer. In response to this ever-increasing gap, the field of social entrepreneurship has flourished, combining capitalism with social action and volunteerism. The nonprofit organization, Everyone Deserves a Roof, has innovated a small-scale solution to homelessness, but does it treat the symptoms rather than the cause?
According to a report compiled by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, more than three million Americans experience homelessness every year, and this number has increased radically over the past few decades. There aren’t enough accommodations and shelters to house them all, so far too many have no choice but to live on the street. EDAR has developed a combination shopping-cart-and-shelter that protects belongings during the day and serves as a bed at night. EDAR currently has units in Southern California, Phoenix, Denver, and New Jersey.
Everyone Deserves a Roof units (photo credit EDAR website)
To be honest, I was initially turned off by the project for a couple of reasons. I agree with their values – everyone deserves a roof – but even more strongly I believe that everyone deserves a home. EDAR provides a temporary night-time shelter, but it doesn’t offer a real bed, a shower, or security. My guess is that one of the reasons this project works is because it’s cost-effective, but still, shouldn’t philanthropic organizations focus their attention on alleviating homelessness? Or even just improving homeless shelters? I tend to think that there will be people who will look at organizations like EDAR and say something to the effect of, “Well, they have shelter, the problem doesn’t exist anymore.” But maybe I just don’t have enough faith in people.
Rules for a 70-person EDAR Community in NJ (photo credit - EDAR website
However, I looked at the Frequently Asked Questions on the EDAR website, and it seems that the staff has read my mind. One question asks, “Why do homeless individuals use EDAR units? Aren’t shelter beds more comfortable?” The answer readily states that many homeless people don’t feel comfortable at shelters, many shelters are currently at maximum capacity, and an EDAR unit is “not as good as permanent shelter, but it is far much better than a cardboard box under a freeway overpass.” Additionally, another response explained that there are EDAR communities of 10-15 units on land provided by philanthropic partners which, I believe, however Hooverville-esque could provide the sense of security and community I thought was previously lacking.
I stand by my conviction that the larger problem of homelessness is yearning to be solved, and the addition of more and more nonprofits aren’t exactly pushing the process forward. But, I do agree that there is an immediate problem that needs to be solved while someone else works on the grander issue, and EDAR can provide an instantaneous solution.
Smart comments all. You have it right. EDAR is not a perfect solution. On a ten scale it is a 5. But it only costs $500 to get a man, woman or child off the damp concrete. Building a shelter costs $5o,000 per bed it generates. It just seems morally indefensible to not help those sleeping rough when we clearly easily can.
Like you, I have mixed views on EDAR and its approach towards fixing homelessness. This past week I did an alternate spring break program focused on the issues of hunger and homelessness in Durham. I definitely agree that despite the large number of non-profits and organizations dedicated to ending homelessness, the problem does not really seem to be going away.
I think this might be because each organization tends to have its own agenda and specific mission, which means that many of the programs are not comprehensive. Homelessness is often caused by unexpected unemployment or mental and physical disabilities. Providing a temporary shelter certainly does not address these structural causes and does not create a long-term or sustainable solution to the problem.
If we stick to programs like EDAR, there is little chance that we will be able to end homelessness in our country because there are systematic factors that are creating the problem.
EDAR probably won’t help a homeless man live the American Dream. Yet, at the same time, without EDAR a homeless man may not get the chance to live at all.
Its a tough issue to deal with— address the root causes or focus on putting a band-aid on the problem first?