UI/UX design, Research,
Persona, user flow
Dec 20. 2023 - May 05. 2024
I went to college in Baltimore, and there were a lot of homeless people around the school. I didn't know them before, and they were full of stereotypes. But it was not until more contact with them that they discovered their love for life. I found that they are not what I imagined. Most of them are also optimistic and want to change their lives.
Many people find it difficult to return to society after losing their jobs because of prejudice and the lack of a fixed place to live, even if they are able to
This map is an interactive list of resources for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including emergency shelters, resource centers, health care, and meal sites.
Maryland government provides sufficient welfare facilities, but they lack programs to help individuals reintegrate into society.
70% of labor does not require skills, but is still very expensive
Most job platforms need a fixed address and phone number, which homeless individuals don’t have, blocking them from opportunities.
Existing homeless aid apps focus on survival (food, shelters) but rarely help them regain independence through jobs and long-term solutions.
A better solution is needed—one that connects homeless individuals to work without barriers and supports their journey back into society.
Shelters revealed that more than 30% homeless individuals actively seek jobs but face structural barriers. While shelters offer temporary relief, many became homeless due to unemployment, medical debt, or family breakdowns, highlighting the need for long-term solutions focused on employment and stability.
After discussions, we decided to first assist those who have the ability and confidence to reintegrate into society. However, our service-based resources will remain accessible to everyone,
I led a collaborative design sprint, guiding a team of designers and researchers while also engaging with homeless individuals and specialists in the field. By combining diverse perspectives, we identified key takeaways and implemented impactful design changes to better support the reintegration of homeless individuals.
Our goal is to help homeless individuals reintegrate into society by providing opportunities to earn money through meaningful work while also offering access to essential social benefits.
With these in mind, We started to design the UX Iteration 1 after my initial sketches.
And optimized the interface based on user feedback
We have updated many design elements and steps.
During our testing of the app, We simplified the user flow for the homeless,
enhanced the hierarchy, and adopted blue as our theme color.
During testing, we identified a critical issue: the homeless population includes individuals who may be unsafe, with some experiencing mental instability or substance abuse. This raises significant safety concerns for both participants and the broader community, requiring a structured screening and verification process.
To address this, we have implemented a level-based assessment system that categorizes individuals based on their readiness for work. This system helps identify those who are prepared for immediate opportunities while offering support and guidance to those who need further rehabilitation before entering the workforce.
Both parties must simultaneously click to start and finish the work; if either party fails to do so within 3 minutes, a confirmation call will be made to ensure safety.
Based on user feedback, we eliminated the custom map feature and instead leveraged the built-in mapping functionalities of mobile devices. This ensures a more seamless and familiar navigation experience while reducing technical overhead.
Through user testing, we observed that many homeless individuals were less proactive in searching for opportunities. To address this, we streamlined the job search process by integrating AI-driven recommendations, automatically matching users with suitable tasks based on their profile and skill level. This reduces friction and increases engagement.
I thought the solution was quite simple—just help the homeless find a job, earn money, and they would no longer be homeless. However, I soon realized that there are significant barriers preventing them from even starting the job-seeking process. Many people challenges beyond employment, such as lack of confidence, social stigma, and essential life skills. This realization led me to rethink my approach; instead of focusing solely on job placement, the design should provide comprehensive support that addresses their struggles from multiple angles. The app should act as a guide, offering step-by-step assistance to help them gradually reintegrate into society and build a sustainable, better life.
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The Self-Motivation Booster UX Design allows users to set their own ultimate goal, such as securing stable housing or saving for a specific need. The app then tracks their earnings and progress, helping them stay motivated by visualizing their savings growth and step-by-step achievements toward their goal.
Based on my previous research, a small portion of homeless individuals do not have access to mobile phones. To ensure they can still access important resources, I designed physical brochures and posters that provide essential information in an accessible and easy-to-understand format. These materials help bridge the gap and connect them with available services and opportunities.
For individuals who do not meet our verification requirements, access to social benefit resources will still be available to ensure they receive essential support. However, participation in the work system will be temporarily restricted. Their access to employment opportunities will remain locked until they successfully complete our verification process or meet the eligibility criteria set by our partnered charity organizations.
While the app provides essential tools to help homeless individuals reintegrate into society, it cannot solve all challenges alone. Overcoming deep-rooted issues such as mental health struggles, substance abuse, and financial instability requires a collaborative effort involving both government and charitable organizations. Government support is crucial for providing long-term housing, healthcare, and employment programs, while charities can offer immediate relief, mentorship, and community-based assistance. By working together, we can create a more holistic support system that not only helps individuals find jobs but also equips them with the resources and guidance needed to sustain a better life.