Cities Ending Homelessness
An initiative exploring how to end global homelessness.
Cities Ending Homelessness is an initiative with an ambitious aim - to bring together policy makers, social innovators, those with lived experience and academics from across sectors to discuss how to end homelessness. We know the issues, what we need are concrete solutions. By sharing existing initiatives from across the world, we want cities to explore how these ideas could be applied and adapted to their city’s specific context and needs.
Cities are where homelessness is most concentrated and where the greatest challenges arise - whether social, financial or political. Cities are where real-world innovations will be formed.
There is no single reason for homelessness, there is no single solution, and no single city has all the answers – that’s why we need to work together.
Read our Cities Ending Homelessness reports for inspirational solutions that are working around the world.
Solutions from around the world
Seoul Cites Ending Homeless Conference 2024
An inspiring day of sharing research, experiences and ideas.
Our second Cities Ending Homelessness conference was held in Seoul on the 25th September during the 2024 Homeless World Cup. One of our key aims was to discuss solutions to homelessness tailored to the needs of our host city or country.
We were proud to work with the Local Organising Committee, bringing together local and international speakers to discuss homelessness and housing, advocacy, climate adaptation, community and sports for development.
These powerful conversations were perfectly situated at Hanyang University where their motto is ‘Love, Deed and Truth’, underlining their commitment to social impact.
To receive more information about the conference or the wider Cities Ending Homelessness initiative, please contact our International Partnerships Coordinator, Katelynne Kirk.
Conference sessions & speakers:
Min-Jung Shin (Vice-Chair of the Seoul 2024 Homeless World Cup Organizing Committee), who was key in crafting the agenda for the day, was joined by Ki-Jung Lee (President of Hanyang University) and Mel Young (President of the Homeless World Cup Foundation) in welcoming speakers and audience members from across sectors. The opening remarks set the tone for the day - positive messages highlighting the importance of this event, working together and solutions based thinking.
The welcome was followed by a ‘Declaration for Ending Homelessness’ where everyone was asked to write what they will do to help end homelessness.
Each of the panel discussions throughout the day brought together local and international speakers, to explore solutions to issues specifically contributing or perpetuating homelessness in Korea.
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Our keynote speakers provided energy and inspiration as we began the day. Jong-Kyun Seo explained homelessness within the Korean context as well as work that has been done to tackle the issue. Rosanne Haggerty gave an overview of successful techniques being used by her organisation Community Solutions in the USA, where they empower local communities to take a person-centred approach to helping those in their area.
Jong-Kyun Seo
Housing Policy Researcher, C-dot & Former President, Korea Housing Management.Rosanne Haggerty
President, Community Solutions. -
A discussed around advocacy for housing as a human right, specifically considering groups who are marginalised, at greater risk of homelessness or of being denied adequate help once homeless. Three of the speakers shared stories from their work to help provide insights into some of the specific causes of homelessness in Korea and the challenges faced by certain groups as they seek help.
Moderator: Min-Seok Jeong
Director, LGBTIQ Youth Support Center Ding Dong.Jun-Hee Kim
Senior Researcher, Korea Center for City and Environment Research.Mi-Ja Nam
Researcher, Gyeonggi-do Institute of Education.Min-Soo Kim
Independent Researcher.Soo-Kyung Hong
Senior Activist, Homeless Action.Jae-Won Kim
Member of the National Assembly, Rebuilding Korea Party.Eric Tars
Senior Policy Director, National Homelessness Law Center, US. -
Examining the Homeless World Cup as an example of a major sporting event with social impact at its core. This was a fantastic opportunity to hear from former players about their experiences of homelessness and how the tournament impacted their lives for the better. The discussion highlighted the importance of legacy building for lasting change in a host city and the potential of sport to create community, build confidence and change perceptions.
Moderator: Alex Richmond (Global Co-Lead, Ashoka Sport for Changemaking).
Mel Young (President, Homeless World Cup Foundation).
Byeong-Hoon An (Executive Director, Big Issue Korea).
Natalie Handley (Former HWC player, Team Wales).
Young-Soo Moon (Former HWC player, Team Korea).
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The affects of climate change are being felt acutely in Korea as floods and heat waves impact the lives of citizens and even causing fatalities. In this session speakers discussed how housing must adapt to the extreme weather and we heard how women in other parts of the world are working together to create secure homes for their communities.
Moderator: Yoo-Jin Lee (Director, Institute for Green Transformation).Habara (Senior Researcher, Sustainable Development Management Center).
Kyung-Jin Lim (Senior Policy Specialist, Seongdong-gu Office).
Jae-Im (Activist, Korean People's Solidarity Against Poverty).
Smruti Jukur (Urban Development Practitioner, SPARC): ROOH (Roof Over Our Heads Campaign).
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The final panel of the day explored community based living, the difference a secure and safe base can make in someone’s life and how connection can welcome people from the margins back into society.
Moderator: Duk-Young Lim (Research Fellow, Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs).
Kyung-Ae Han (Senior Researcher, Seoul National University Asia Center).
Jeong-Hwa Seo (Director, Open Women's Center).
Eun-Joo Ko (Chairperson, Ulrim Dure Care Social Cooperative).
Juha Kahila (Head of International Affairs, Y-Säätiö).
Sacramento 2023 Cities Ending Homelessness Conference
“Our objective is simple - to end homelessness”
Mel Young
President and Co-Founder, Homeless World Cup
The Cities Ending Homelessness initiative was launched by Homeless World Cup President and Co-Founder Mel Young and former USA Goalkeeper Hope Solo at the Sacramento 2023 Homeless World Cup which was held from July 8 – July 15, 2023 at Sacramento State University.
Established in 2023
