Everything, all the time: Engaging the social problem of homelessness in entrepreneurship research and practice

Abstract

Homelessness is one of the most complex and enduring social problems facing many communities. As the research and practice of prosocial venturing flourish, there remains very limited engagement from scholars and entrepreneurs with this profound problem. Emerging innovations around homelessness have focused on desgining new forms of shelters such as the construction of tiny houses and the conversion of shipping containers and other impractical spaces into possible housing. These innovations, while promising, have limited viability and impact on the problem and the lives of those affected by it. This article aims to galvanize future research and practice through providing a thick description of homelessness, highlighting the entanglement of housing with other integral dimensions such as criminalization and mental and physical health provisioning. I enjoin scholars and entrepreneurs to embrace the messiness of homelessness and similar social problems to provide more informative and impactful outputs. I specifically highlight more integrative approaches in stakeholder governance and the process of venture creation.