Unhoused.org is a social impact startup focused on using technology to help the unhoused.
Items of Clothing distributed
101,123
Lives changed
2,000
New Homes Built to date
coming next
The label of “homeless” has derogatory connotations. It implies that one is “less than”, and it undermines self-esteem and progressive change.
The use of the term "Unhoused", instead, has a profound personal impact upon those in insecure housing situations. It implies that there is a moral and social assumption that everyone should be housed in the first place.
We are developing groundbreaking technology solutions to help the homeless crisis in the UK and internationally. Whether it be developing sustainable, self-cleaning clothing for those in need, or an innovative model for donating fresh supplies, we are on a mission to make a lasting, measurable difference.
Our Self-Cleaning Fabric Technology
Powered by FreshTech™
We have spent almost 2 years developing FreshTech™ for fabric. This is the nanotechnology that is applied to the clothing fibres which protect the infiltration of liquid, dirt and sweat.
The self-cleaning property of hydrophobic, micro-nanostructured surfaces was first studied by Barthlott and Ehler in 1977, who described such properties for the first time as the "lotus effect".
The Hope™ Hoodie and Jumper range is engineered using hydrophobic fabric based upon this effect. Dirt particles with an extremely reduced contact area are picked up by water droplets and are thus easily cleaned off the surface. If a water droplet rolls across such a contaminated surface the adhesion between the dirt particle, irrespective of its chemistry, and the droplet is higher than between the particle and the surface.
The surface is treated with nanoscopic fibres that repel water and other droplets in the same way a lotus leaf does. Liquid will bead and roll off the surface at a 150 degree contact angle without soaking or staining.
The treatment also inhibits the growth of bacteria.
In a recent test by Micro star Labs, and an independent testing facility, two samples of textile material (one canvas, one cotton) were treated with our FreshTech™ technology.
After 24 hours of exposure to Klebsiella Pneumonia and Staphylococcus Aurous (AATCC test Method 10022012), the treated canvas and cotton samples showed an average reduction of 99.96% in bacterial growth compared to a non-treated control sample.
Charity Partners
We have picked 3 partners to distribute our clothing and supplies through to the homeless.
We see them as leaders in their respective fields and dynamic on the ground.
