Introduction: Design Thinking Approach to Addressing Homelessness
Wicked problems refer to cultural and social problems that are hard and difficult to solve due to their dynamic and interconnected nature. Homelessness is a wicked problem that will be analysed in the current study. The present report will discuss the five characteristics of a wicked problem, namely, Homelessness. It will also explain the design thinking method to address the wicked problem of Homelessness. Further, it will recommend one particular design-based change to mitigate the impact of the wicked problem. It will highlight the usefulness of wicked problems and the difference from tame problems. It will also state what we learn from the chosen problem and the major barrier in solving the problem.
Main Body
Five features of a wicked problem, i.e. Homelessness
Homelessness is a great example of a wicked problem, as there is no clear as well as definite approach to solve and address this. It is an issue of being unsheltered and is a situation of lack of safe, stable and functional housing. One of the main and first features of the wicked problem of Homelessness is that the problem cannot be solved (Clark et al, 2022). The reason for this because the population is increasing rapidly, which leads to an increase in the issue of Homelessness. There are not sufficient shelters available to shelter all homeless people, as well as authorities are also not able to provide enough funding. Also, most shelters remain overcrowded and do not provide facilities for to disabled and mental health issues. Thus, it is one of the main reasons for Homelessness, and the lack of solutions makes it more complex and impossible to solve.
The other feature of a wicked problem is that it is a symptom of other problems means it occurs because of some other problems. Homelessness is a symptom of poverty, unemployment, as well as lack of affordable housing. For instance, large unemployment means people lack income a resulting in being unable to pay rent lead to become cause of homelessness. In addition, it is evaluated that all wicked problems are unique means each problem is different in its own way. It cannot be compared to other problems or can be solved with the solution of other issues (Wicked Problem, 2024). As Homelessness is distinct from climate change and by doing environmental solutions can`t overcome Homelessness.
The characteristics of a wicked problem include that a solution can be good or bad, but not right or wrong. For instance, the Homelessness solution of providing shelter is evaluated as a good or bad, but it can`t say it is right or wrong (Lönngrenv and Van Poeck, 2021). Moreover, a wicked problem has no end to the number of solutions. For instance, to solve the issue of homelessness, there are a number of solutions like providing shelter, employment, and government assistance, but the problem is so big that it an`t be solved.
Homelessness is a wicked problem because it is difficult to solve and does not have a simple solution; it cannot able to solved using standard techniques. Thus, it is addressed as a wicked problem.
Design thinking method and its usage in addressing Homelessness
Design-thinking is a kind of non-linear, as well as mechanical process that is used to understand challenge assumptions, redefine issues as well and build innovative solutions. It is beneficial to handle the problems that are ill-defined and not unknown.
Through using the design-thinking method, homelessness can be addressed, such as:
- Empathise: The first step is to identify the people who are homeless. It includes people living in poverty, individuals with low-paid jobs, poor quality and insecure housing, as well as disabled and mentally ill people who are cared for by their families.
- Define: The stage includes gathering ideas to solve the issues effectively. For example, the solution to homelessness is rapid housing, increasing shelter, increasing job opportunities, and so on, so that the percentage of homeless people declines.
- Ideate: Ideate is a procedure of enhancing ideas and solutions via brainstorming, prototyping, cheat storming and more. For example, the planner addresses the government to increase job opportunities so that the income level of people increases, more funding for education to reduce poverty rates, as well as funding for housing and more shelter for disabled people (Cooke, Dusenberry, and Robinson, 2020).
- Prototype: It is a stage that includes a visible representation of the idea. A solution made to test ideas and changes until it reaches to final result. For this feedback of various stakeholders taken into account, such as NGOs, government, and so more.
- Test: At this stage, the solution of the wicked problem is tested. For example, increasing job opportunities are tested within a year to determine whether they are overcoming homelessness or not.
Application of the designed method to the proposed change for Homelessness
To address the wicked problem of Homelessness, one of the proposed changes will be a Government initiative on financing housing and generating employment opportunities. These are as under:
- Empathise: At this stage, to solve the problem of homelessness, the first step is to identify the stakeholders, such as people who are homeless such individuals troubled by homelessness, and volunteers at homeless shelters who directly interact with homeless people to know their condition and get an idea of the problem.
- Define: To increase the financing for the homeless, at this stage, various ideas have been generated. To overcome the problem, the government can finance a shelter home directly or by increasing jobs, making policies for free education for children, and so more.
- Ideate: At this stage, the government, with the help of welfare institutions such as NGO`s, local authorities, and community groups, all via brainstormin,g generate better ideas and work at their level to address the problem (Eide, 2020).
- Prototype: At this stage, the government takes feedback as well as allocates funds for shelters to different organisations, as well as local authorities. These lead to helping in furnishing homes to several individuals, as a result, reducing the problem at some level.
- Test: At this stage, the government evaluates the effectiveness of the proposed change and aids in resolving the wicked problem.
Useful for the discussion of wicked problems and how they differ from tame problems
The wicked problems are complex as well as have various independent factors, which make it impossible to solve, just like in the case of homelessness, where factors like poverty, unemployment, and lack of availability of housing impact it. The solution of wicked problems requires greater involvement of stakeholders as well as an innovative approach of design thinking.
Wicked problems are different from tame problems, as tame problems are clearly defined and have easier and definite solutions by using premeditated techniques. prProblemsncludeludes straightforward which can be solved by taking timely corrective actions (Hallett and Hallett, 2021).
It is identified that there are various tools to address wicked problems, such as the design-thinking method that focuses on ideas as well as possible solutions to address the problems by using five prospective stages. In addition, another tool that can be used in addressing wicked problems is systems thinking. It is a procedure of understanding how elements of the system impact each other, as well as other systems. As a result, the tool is quite effective for the solution of wicked problems.
With the help of the analysis, it is identified that the wicked problems are complex, but their solution is difficult. It is evaluated that a wicked problem can be addressed with the help of appropriate action, but due to changing social and cultural norms, it can`t be resolved in the proper manner. The wicked problem has multiple solutions, which aid in reducing the problem. For this, it is essential to focus on the factor that is the main cause of it wicked problem is a symptom of another problem.
Learned about homelessness and a major problem to solve the problem
Homelessness is a wicked problem, as the problem has a large impact, as well as is difficult to solve because of its dynamics as well as interrelated nature. Homelessness is caused by other symptoms of factors such as unemployment, poverty, educational opportunities, lack of government funding, natural disasters, and physical and mental disorders. Due to several factors that impact homelessness, it becomes difficult to solve the problem clearly. It is also evaluated that the problem can`t be solved effectively, but can be overcome to some level.
Some major barriers hinder solving the wicked problem of homelessness. This is as under:
- Lack of affordable housing: One of the main barriers to homelessness is a lack of affordable housing. In the current time, the population is increasing rapidly; as a result, the balance between the number of people and available housing facilities is disrupted (Reid, 2023). As a result, government funding also can`t be able to solve the problem.
- Inflation: Another barrier to homelessness is the high rate of inflation. The increasing cost-of-living and inflation increase the rents of buildings, as a result, making it difficult to solve the issue.
This barrier makes it difficult to solve homelessness.
Conclusion
To sum up all, it is articulated that wicked problems and issues are impossible or hard to solve. The present study stated that homelessness is a wicked problem and features such as being difficult to solve, a symptom of other factors such as poverty, education, as well as being unique from other problems. The report explained that the design-thinking method enables solving wicked problems in five stages, including empathise, define, ideate, prototype and test. In addition, the government funding is a proposed change to overcome the wicked problem by analysing stakeholders, generating ideas and building a prototype and testing. It outlined that wicked problems are different from team problems as they cannot be solved. Also, outlines barriers to addressing homelessness are a lack of housing and increasing inflation.
