Project STEP — Project Story

Inspiration

In Seattle, thousands of people experience homelessness while lacking reliable access to shelters, food, medical care, and information. We were inspired by the gap between available resources and actual accessibility. Many existing services exist—but are fragmented, hard to find, or digitally inaccessible. Project STEP was inspired by the question: What if help was as easy to access as stepping up to a kiosk?

What it does

Project STEP provides public, easy-to-use kiosks and an app that help people experiencing homelessness:

Find nearby shelters, food banks, clinics, and hygiene resources in real time
Request food, medical assistance, and transportation
Access services in 16+ languages with text-to-voice support
Connect with volunteers and community organizations
Enter a positive feedback loop by gaining opportunities to work as delivery drivers or helpers

The system prioritizes immediate survival needs while creating pathways toward stability and self-efficacy.

How we built it

We designed Project STEP as a scalable, city-supported system with four core pillars:

System dashboard: Centralized data integrating shelters, food banks, and city resources
Timely resource delivery: Food and essentials ordered through kiosks and delivered by volunteers or trained workers
Empowerment through rehabilitation: Job opportunities within the system for unhoused individuals
Partnerships: Collaboration with city governments, nonprofits, shelters, and food banks

We paired a secure physical kiosk design with an intuitive UI connected to Google Maps and live resource updates, ensuring accuracy and accessibility.

Challenges we ran into

Designing for users with limited digital literacy and inconsistent internet access
Balancing short-term emergency aid with long-term solutions
Preventing outdated information while relying on many external partners
Addressing risks such as vandalism and low initial engagement
Ensuring dignity and trust while using technology in sensitive contexts

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Created an equity-first design focused on the most digitally excluded populations
Built a system that integrates logistics and human connection
Developed a scalable model suitable for government adoption
Designed a clear positive feedback loop that empowers users rather than creating dependency
Aligned technology, ethics, and community engagement into one cohesive solution

What we learned

Homelessness cannot be solved by technology alone—but technology can remove barriers
Accessibility must be intentional, not assumed
Trust, dignity, and human connection are as critical as efficiency
Phased implementation allows solutions to grow responsibly and sustainably

What's next for Project STEP

Phase 1: Pilot kiosks in high-need Seattle neighborhoods
Phase 2: Expand partnerships, improve data accuracy, and add job training pathways
Phase 3: Scale to additional cities using the same infrastructure

Project STEP is not just a tool—it’s a step toward stability, dignity, and connection.