Co-Design with the Unhoused Community
Avital Glibicky
By critiquing Design Fragility and Design Supremacy, designers can break down the methodologies that reinforce the current societal hierarchy and fight against the erasure of unhoused communities. Thereby, designers must delve deeper into complex social issues to create empowering lasting outcomes by decentering themselves in these conversations. Working with unhoused community members can provide insights into the specific needs, goals, and values of those community members. Furthermore, co-creating with the unhoused and relinquishing power to them will drive change and ultimately open full access to power instead of perpetuating an oppressive system that holds control in the hands of designers.
Case Study
This vaccination project for an unhoused encampment brought together a medical non-profit organization, a lawyer, a homeless union, and a food service non-profit. In no way perfect, instead, this is meant to illustrate the lessons learned, communication tools created, and opportunities embraced.
Testimonial from Joey Crottogini
The Health Manager from the County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency’s Homeless Persons Health Project (HPHP).
Double Dose Unhoused Resident Vaccination Flow Tool
Capstone: Co-Design with the Unhoused Community
A Social Media Guide to Working in Unhoused Spaces to celebrate Food Not Bombs’ 40 year anniversary.
Wishing Tree Conceptual Model
Recordings of unhoused resident’s stories are played on speakers surrounding the written wishes attached to the Wishing Tree and housed members can contribute. This is a centerpiece of a photography exhibition curated by the unhoused with all proceeds going to the purchase of basic needs including tents, water, and clothing.
Image Caption Title: A Zine for Working in Unhoused Spaces
A zine illustrating how the more time spent cultivating creativity, deeply listening and understanding, mapping the needs and talents of the unhoused community, and simply sharing a meal the deeper our relationships will go with our unhoused neighbors.
Published zine shared at bookstores (in Santa Cruz) dedicated to social activism and virtual version published on the Food Not Bombs Instagram in celebration of its 40th Anniversary.
A Month of Waiting
In no way meant to encompass the entire nuanced experience of the unhoused, this is a working document. “A Month of Waiting'' is a story written by an Advocacy Group member that responded to a story completion prompt. This is a template for co-design opportunities for designers and unhoused residents to collaborate on.