HomePath

Finding shelter shouldn’t require an arm and leg. HousePath allows unhoused people to simply speak their needs; location, pets and preferences, and our AI instantly matches them to housing options.

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Inspiration

As university students, we understand firsthand how difficult it can be to find housing. This challenge is even more serious in Hamilton, where the homeless population is at an all-time high. Seeing this reality around us inspired us to create HomePath.

Purpose

HomePath is an application that allows users to search for shelters or housing using their voice. By using AI, the app can understand more nuanced needs, such as requests for women-only shelters or accommodations that allow pets. HomePath also simplifies the process by showing shelter availability, reducing the stress and effort involved in finding a safe place to stay.

Challenges

One of our biggest challenges was accurately understanding what users meant when they spoke and matching those needs to the right shelter options. It took a lot of trial and error, but through continuous testing and refinement, we were able to significantly improve the system’s accuracy and reliability. In the future, we aim to further refine HomePath by allowing users to connect with shelters directly through the app.

Conclusion

Ultimately, HomePath is about making an overwhelming and often discouraging process feel more accessible and human. We hope it can serve as a meaningful tool that connects people to the support they need and helps create a more efficient path toward stable housing.

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