Shelter in a Cart

For those who have little or no money in our society, homelessness is a big issue.  Is there a place where design can help the homeless?  Designboom hopes that there is.  They sponsored this non-profit design competition called Shelter in a Cart.  In all, 4247 designers from 95 countries contributed design ideas.  Although the competition itself was judged as being a superficial approach to solving poverty and homelessness, I have a hard time considering that many people thinking deeply about homelessness a superficial activity.  Judge the results for yourself.

One of my favorite contributions was this Tent Cart by Timo Niskanen of Finland.  His design was also nominated for a 2007 Index Award.  Hopefully you too will be inspired to work on non-profit designs.