One of my deepest fears has always been the possibility of becoming homeless. I believe it stems from an early unstable childhood—constantly moving from place to place, often with little to eat, and being forced to witness the endless fights between my mother and her various boyfriends. These early experiences planted in me a sense of empathy for those living on the streets. People who for whatever reason lost their ability to be stable. I don’t care about the reasons that brought them there or the circumstances that led to their situation. What matters to me is: How can we help them? What can we do to prevent this from happening in the first place?
It bothers me that, in 2024, homelessness remains such a persistent issue. Why, in an age of so much progress, is it still a reality for so many?
It has been my experience that life is often compared to a game. In this game, there are winners, losers, and everyone caught somewhere in between. When we see celebrities, successful CEOs, or anyone at the top of their field, we think, They made it. They won. We idolize their success, aspiring to be as wealthy, well-known, or happy as they seem. They’re held up as examples of what it means to "win" in life. On the other hand, when we see a homeless person or someone incarcerated, we tend to judge them as having lost the game. They failed. They’re losers, we tell ourselves, and many of us avoid engaging with their reality altogether.
But as we make our way through life—working hard, paying bills, and managing responsibilities—we, too, are playing the game. We chase goals, hoping one day we’ll be rich, famous, or simply content. Our energy is consumed by obligations, and our attention is funneled into staying afloat. Yet, when we pass by someone who is homeless, we often walk quickly, maybe tossing a bit of spare change or avoiding eye contact altogether. We think, They messed up. They didn’t play by the rules and now they’re paying for it.
But is this how we should think? Are we really supposed to ignore the suffering of our fellow human beings and rationalize it as their own doing? We try to convince ourselves that homeless people somehow deserve their situation. They made bad choices. They didn’t try hard enough. They didn’t play the game right, we say from the comfort of our homes filled with food, electricity, and warmth. Yet, somewhere deep down, a nagging thought kicks at us: What if that were me? What if everything fell apart for me?
We like to believe that if we were in their shoes, we’d pull ourselves out and rise above the hardship. But the truth is far more complex. Once someone becomes homeless, they face a harsh reality—a level of societal indifference and rejection that’s almost impossible to comprehend unless you've lived it. The stigmatization of homelessness is crushing. It strips people of dignity, making them feel invisible. The weight of isolation, judgment, and the constant struggle for survival can drive even the strongest people to seek refuge in destructive coping mechanisms like drugs or alcohol. For many, it’s not about poor choices—it’s about survival in a world that has turned its back on them.
Homelessness isn’t just a result of personal failure; it's a collective failure of our society. Be it financial hardship, mental health issues, addiction, or just pure bad luck, no one dreams of ending up without a roof over their head. Yet, we live in a world where homelessness is treated almost as an inevitable outcome of the system rather than a solvable issue. For thousands of years, humans have faced poverty, but we still haven’t found a solution that ensures everyone has access to the basic necessities of life. This isn't just sad—it's unacceptable.
Food, water, shelter, hygiene, and clothing—these are basic human needs, not luxuries. Yet, in a world where wealth abounds for some, these essential resources remain out of reach for many. Politicians often speak grandly about human rights, but where is the action on the most fundamental rights of all? The right to live with dignity, to have shelter, to eat, and to be seen as a human being.
Not too long ago, it was possible for people to seek out unclaimed land, build a home, and live off the earth. You could hunt for your food, build your shelter, and survive off the land. But today, every square inch of land is owned, privatized, and regulated. There is no place left for someone to simply quit their job, leave society behind, and live sustainably off the grid—unless they own the land, know someone who does, or can afford to buy it. This is a modern dilemma, one that traps people in cycles of poverty and homelessness.
When people lose their jobs, their homes, and their support systems, there are often no safety nets to catch them. Shelters are overcrowded and underfunded, offering temporary relief at best. Many are left with no options but to sleep on the streets, invisible to most and judged by others. Men, women, and children are left to fend for themselves in a society that has turned its back on them. We label them failures, without acknowledging the systemic barriers that made it almost impossible for them to succeed in the first place.
The solution to homelessness isn’t charity—it’s humanity. It’s recognizing that people aren’t "losers" because they lost a job or fell into hard times, or even made bad choices. It’s understanding that life is unpredictable and that we, as a society, have a responsibility to lift each other up, rather than turn a blind eye to those who need help the most. Ending homelessness requires more than handouts; it requires systemic change. It’s time to rethink our approach and ask ourselves: Do we want to live in a world where success is defined by individual gain, or do we want to build a world where no one is left behind?
My goal is simple: to help end homelessness. We have more than enough land and resources to care for every human being on this planet. In fact, the entire global population could physically fit within the state of Texas—just think about that. I’m not advocating for redistributing land or stripping people of their property, but we need to address the broken systems that allow homelessness to persist and make spaces available for the one's who want to change.
Why is rent so unaffordable? Why is healthy food so expensive? Sure, you can survive on $20 worth of ramen noodles and hot dogs for a couple of weeks, but poor nutrition will eventually take a toll on your body and mind. It leads to fatigue, cognitive decline, and often, mental health issues like depression and anxiety. All too often, the next step is psychiatric intervention, leading to prescription pills that can spiral into dependency.
We can’t fix these systemic issues overnight, but we can take steps to restore dignity to the lives of those living on the streets. That's why I’m working on a prototype for a portable pod—a personal shelter designed to provide comfort and privacy for homeless individuals. Think of it like a collapsible tent, but far more durable, weather-resistant, and comfortable.
This pod would offer a safe place to sleep, complete with air systems powered by batteries that can cool or heat the interior based on the weather. It would also have a basic waste system, allowing users to relieve themselves and dispose of waste in designated dumpsters across the city. The pod would include water storage and a heating method for food that poses no fire hazard. It would also be soundproof and fold into a large suitcase with wheels, making it easy to transport.
The main challenge will be finding suitable locations to set these up, distributing them, and educating people on how to use them. This won’t be a simple handout; individuals will need to attend educational events to receive one. At these events, medical staff will conduct health checks, distribute hygiene products and clothes, and provide meals. Attendees will be trained on how to set up and dismantle their pod, while also being guided through a personalized checklist designed to help them re-enter society.
With people helping people, we can make real progress. Medical staff and spiritual leaders will work with these individuals to uncover the root causes of their homelessness and help restore their sense of self-worth. Many homeless people are in their situation because they’ve lost hope—they’re ashamed of past mistakes and unable to forgive themselves. These individuals need compassionate treatment, both spiritually and through good-hearted therapists who can help them heal.
Importantly, no psychiatrists or pharmaceuticals will be involved in this process. It is my belief that the field of psychiatry has failed and despite endless billions in funding have never cured anything. For those homeless individuals who have completely lost their mental stability, we’ll work to connect them with mental health facilities where they can receive proper care.
This is my goal—to provide not just shelter, but the tools to help people rebuild their lives and regain their self-respect. Together, with empathy and action, we can overcome this crisis.
It bothers me that, in 2024, homelessness remains such a persistent issue. Why, in an age of so much progress, is it still a reality for so many?
It has been my experience that life is often compared to a game. In this game, there are winners, losers, and everyone caught somewhere in between. When we see celebrities, successful CEOs, or anyone at the top of their field, we think, They made it. They won. We idolize their success, aspiring to be as wealthy, well-known, or happy as they seem. They’re held up as examples of what it means to "win" in life. On the other hand, when we see a homeless person or someone incarcerated, we tend to judge them as having lost the game. They failed. They’re losers, we tell ourselves, and many of us avoid engaging with their reality altogether.
But as we make our way through life—working hard, paying bills, and managing responsibilities—we, too, are playing the game. We chase goals, hoping one day we’ll be rich, famous, or simply content. Our energy is consumed by obligations, and our attention is funneled into staying afloat. Yet, when we pass by someone who is homeless, we often walk quickly, maybe tossing a bit of spare change or avoiding eye contact altogether. We think, They messed up. They didn’t play by the rules and now they’re paying for it.
But is this how we should think? Are we really supposed to ignore the suffering of our fellow human beings and rationalize it as their own doing? We try to convince ourselves that homeless people somehow deserve their situation. They made bad choices. They didn’t try hard enough. They didn’t play the game right, we say from the comfort of our homes filled with food, electricity, and warmth. Yet, somewhere deep down, a nagging thought kicks at us: What if that were me? What if everything fell apart for me?
We like to believe that if we were in their shoes, we’d pull ourselves out and rise above the hardship. But the truth is far more complex. Once someone becomes homeless, they face a harsh reality—a level of societal indifference and rejection that’s almost impossible to comprehend unless you've lived it. The stigmatization of homelessness is crushing. It strips people of dignity, making them feel invisible. The weight of isolation, judgment, and the constant struggle for survival can drive even the strongest people to seek refuge in destructive coping mechanisms like drugs or alcohol. For many, it’s not about poor choices—it’s about survival in a world that has turned its back on them.
Homelessness isn’t just a result of personal failure; it's a collective failure of our society. Be it financial hardship, mental health issues, addiction, or just pure bad luck, no one dreams of ending up without a roof over their head. Yet, we live in a world where homelessness is treated almost as an inevitable outcome of the system rather than a solvable issue. For thousands of years, humans have faced poverty, but we still haven’t found a solution that ensures everyone has access to the basic necessities of life. This isn't just sad—it's unacceptable.
Food, water, shelter, hygiene, and clothing—these are basic human needs, not luxuries. Yet, in a world where wealth abounds for some, these essential resources remain out of reach for many. Politicians often speak grandly about human rights, but where is the action on the most fundamental rights of all? The right to live with dignity, to have shelter, to eat, and to be seen as a human being.
Not too long ago, it was possible for people to seek out unclaimed land, build a home, and live off the earth. You could hunt for your food, build your shelter, and survive off the land. But today, every square inch of land is owned, privatized, and regulated. There is no place left for someone to simply quit their job, leave society behind, and live sustainably off the grid—unless they own the land, know someone who does, or can afford to buy it. This is a modern dilemma, one that traps people in cycles of poverty and homelessness.
When people lose their jobs, their homes, and their support systems, there are often no safety nets to catch them. Shelters are overcrowded and underfunded, offering temporary relief at best. Many are left with no options but to sleep on the streets, invisible to most and judged by others. Men, women, and children are left to fend for themselves in a society that has turned its back on them. We label them failures, without acknowledging the systemic barriers that made it almost impossible for them to succeed in the first place.
The solution to homelessness isn’t charity—it’s humanity. It’s recognizing that people aren’t "losers" because they lost a job or fell into hard times, or even made bad choices. It’s understanding that life is unpredictable and that we, as a society, have a responsibility to lift each other up, rather than turn a blind eye to those who need help the most. Ending homelessness requires more than handouts; it requires systemic change. It’s time to rethink our approach and ask ourselves: Do we want to live in a world where success is defined by individual gain, or do we want to build a world where no one is left behind?
My goal is simple: to help end homelessness. We have more than enough land and resources to care for every human being on this planet. In fact, the entire global population could physically fit within the state of Texas—just think about that. I’m not advocating for redistributing land or stripping people of their property, but we need to address the broken systems that allow homelessness to persist and make spaces available for the one's who want to change.
Why is rent so unaffordable? Why is healthy food so expensive? Sure, you can survive on $20 worth of ramen noodles and hot dogs for a couple of weeks, but poor nutrition will eventually take a toll on your body and mind. It leads to fatigue, cognitive decline, and often, mental health issues like depression and anxiety. All too often, the next step is psychiatric intervention, leading to prescription pills that can spiral into dependency.
We can’t fix these systemic issues overnight, but we can take steps to restore dignity to the lives of those living on the streets. That's why I’m working on a prototype for a portable pod—a personal shelter designed to provide comfort and privacy for homeless individuals. Think of it like a collapsible tent, but far more durable, weather-resistant, and comfortable.
This pod would offer a safe place to sleep, complete with air systems powered by batteries that can cool or heat the interior based on the weather. It would also have a basic waste system, allowing users to relieve themselves and dispose of waste in designated dumpsters across the city. The pod would include water storage and a heating method for food that poses no fire hazard. It would also be soundproof and fold into a large suitcase with wheels, making it easy to transport.
The main challenge will be finding suitable locations to set these up, distributing them, and educating people on how to use them. This won’t be a simple handout; individuals will need to attend educational events to receive one. At these events, medical staff will conduct health checks, distribute hygiene products and clothes, and provide meals. Attendees will be trained on how to set up and dismantle their pod, while also being guided through a personalized checklist designed to help them re-enter society.
With people helping people, we can make real progress. Medical staff and spiritual leaders will work with these individuals to uncover the root causes of their homelessness and help restore their sense of self-worth. Many homeless people are in their situation because they’ve lost hope—they’re ashamed of past mistakes and unable to forgive themselves. These individuals need compassionate treatment, both spiritually and through good-hearted therapists who can help them heal.
Importantly, no psychiatrists or pharmaceuticals will be involved in this process. It is my belief that the field of psychiatry has failed and despite endless billions in funding have never cured anything. For those homeless individuals who have completely lost their mental stability, we’ll work to connect them with mental health facilities where they can receive proper care.
This is my goal—to provide not just shelter, but the tools to help people rebuild their lives and regain their self-respect. Together, with empathy and action, we can overcome this crisis.