Homelessness is a severe problem affecting more and more people every day. It significantly impacts a person’s physical and mental health, and it can be arduous to get out of.
To help end homelessness, you must look into developing SMART goals. Whether you work in a nonprofit or want to volunteer in your free time, SMART goals are your best friend.
What is a SMART Goal?
The SMART goal-setting method can help you create goals for helping end homelessness. For those unaware, SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.
Let’s explain more about each SMART component:
Specific
The more detailed your goals, the more likelihood you have of achieving them. Vague goals will only lead to failure in many cases.
For example, suppose your goal is to assist homeless people. While this is a worthy goal, it isn’t precise enough. How will you go about helping the homeless? Are there certain volunteering services or programs you are considering?
Specificity will ensure you have a clear roadmap to arrive at your ideal destination. You’ll be on the right path to goal achievement.
Measurable
You need to have some way to measure your goals. This will enable you to confirm whether or not you’re on track.
Using the previous example, if your goals involve helping the homeless, try making them quantifiable. For instance, “empower 50 homeless individuals by the end of 6 months.” You could follow progress more effectively since you have an exact percentage to aim for.
Attainable
When developing goals, try to be as realistic as possible. To support the homeless, you can’t expect to do so in a matter of days. You must have enough time and resources to spearhead this ambitious goal.
Relevant
Ask yourself, “Why am I setting goals to help end homelessness in the first place?” Perhaps addressing the homelessness issue could be a way to end poverty and inequality in your community.
Creating relevant goals will spark motivation for yourself. You’ll be able to push on even in times of difficulty.
Time-Based
Ensure you have a specific timeline to stay accountable on this journey to success. You will have a sense of urgency keeping you moving along over time.
Without an end date, you risk losing any chances of goal completion. That would be a worst-case scenario, so make sure your goals are time-bound.
12 SMART Goals Examples to End Homelessness
Below you will find 12 examples of SMART goals for homelessness:
1. Foster Public Awareness of Homelessness
“I will create and implement a comprehensive public awareness campaign to educate people on the causes of homelessness and set up volunteer opportunities within 8 months. This campaign should increase donations for homeless service organizations, as well as greater participation from the community.”
Specific: This statement outlines the individual’s objective, how to achieve the goal, and the timeline.
Measurable: You could launch public awareness campaigns through volunteering opportunities in the community.
Attainable: The deadline is enough time to help educate people on homelessness.
Relevant: Encouraging public awareness is the first step to curbing homelessness.
Time-based: You have an 8-month time frame for meeting this particular goal.
2. Expand Employment Opportunities
“I’ll create an initiative to help the homeless population access employment resources within 6 months. This will involve connecting them with job fairs and training programs, providing them with transportation assistance, and offering job placement services.”
Specific: You’ll aim to connect the homeless to job fairs, training programs, etc.
Measurable: Count the number of homeless people who successfully land a job.
Attainable: Increasing access to employment resources for the homeless is absolutely doable.
Relevant: This goal is pertinent to helping the homeless get a paying job.
Time-based: There is a 6-month time frame for goal completion.
3. Increase Access to Affordable Housing
“I want to increase access to affordable housing for homeless and near-homeless individuals by the end of a year. I will do this by working with local government and nonprofit organizations to secure funding and locations for new housing.”
Specific: The SMART goal is easy to understand. You will work with the government and nonprofits to boost assess to affordable housing for homeless people.
Measurable: The person will monitor the amount of funds gained for building new houses.
Attainable: You can accomplish this goal if you have the right connections and strategies in place.
Relevant: Affordable housing is critical to helping end homelessness.
Time-based: You have one year to achieve this goal.
4. Create Supportive Services for the Homeless
“I’ll strive to create supportive services for the homeless population in my area by the end of two years. These services will include housing assistance, job training, career-building resources, and mental health support. By providing these services to the homeless, I hope to improve their chances of living a more stable lifestyle.”
Specific: This goal specifies the services you could provide, such as career resources, job training, and mental health support.
Measurable: Check how many supportive services you implement in your local area.
Attainable: The provided timeline is enough for you to create supportive services.
Relevant: This statement is necessary to assist the homeless.
Time-based: Goal achievement is anticipated after two entire years.
5. Address Substance Abuse Issues
“To reduce the number of homeless people facing substance abuse, I will secure grants for a new rehabilitation center in 10 months. I want to help homeless individuals struggling with addiction get back on their feet.”
Specific: You’ll secure grants for a new rehabilitation center to address substance abuse for the homeless.
Measurable: Count how many homeless people are able to quit substances.
Attainable: This statement is feasible with enough time and intentional effort.
Relevant: Substance abuse is a significant blocker to getting out of homelessness.
Time-based: Goal attainment should be expected by the end of 10 months.
6. Promote Financial Education and Stability
“I will create a financial education program for homeless individuals and those at risk of homelessness. After one year, I want to reach 20 homeless people and help them become more financially stable.”
Specific: You will help 20 homeless individuals become more financially stable through education.
Measurable: You could count the number of homeless people you save every month.
Attainable: It is definitely possible to educate 20 people in a single year.
Relevant: Financial health helps the homeless population manage their money smartly.
Time-based: You have one year to accomplish this particular goal.
7. Reduce Poverty and Inequality
“I’ll work with local, state, and federal governments to develop initiatives to reduce my community’s poverty and inequality over the two years ahead. I hope to ensure everyone can access resources and opportunities regardless of their economic status.”
Specific: You have a clear motive: ensure everyone has access to opportunities and resources regardless of economic status.
Measurable: Make sure fewer people are struggling in poverty and inequality.
Attainable: You must dedicate time and resources to attain this goal.
Relevant: This goal is appropriate for your desire to prevent homelessness.
Time-based: You have an end date of two years for goal achievement.
8. Advocate for Better Legislation
“For three years, I’ll aim to work with local legislators to advocate for and pass new laws that protect the rights of homeless individuals and families. This involves supporting laws that increase affordable housing, provide access to medical care, and secure employment opportunities for those who are currently homeless.”
Specific: The statement details the objective, how to reach it, and the time frame.
Measurable: Pay close attention to the new laws tackling homelessness.
Attainable: With unity and collaboration, this is a realistic goal to accomplish.
Relevant: Introducing better legislation will support those struggling without a home.
Time-based: You want to accomplish this goal within three years.
9. Develop Strategies for Timely Intervention
“I will develop a plan to ensure individuals and families in unstable housing situations receive timely support before they become homeless. For 6 months, I’ll identify and reach out to those in need, assess their situation, and provide adequate resources that meet their needs.”
Specific: The person strives to support those in unstable housing situations.
Measurable: Proactively follow the listed action items for developing strategic interventions.
Attainable: This is a reasonable goal if you have allotted enough time to create strategies for intervention.
Relevant: Many homeless individuals require additional support and resources to improve their housing circumstances.
Time-based: There is a 6-month timeline to meet the desired result.
10. Strengthen Partnerships with Service Providers
“To better serve the homeless population in our community, I will create a stronger partnership with local service providers within 7 months. I want to ensure the homeless can access all the necessary resources.”
Specific: You will collaborate directly with local service providers to serve the homeless population.
Measurable: Verify the number of service providers you teamed up with.
Attainable: This is reasonable as long as you communicate effectively and have existing connections.
Relevant: Partnerships will facilitate a team effort in addressing homelessness.
Time-based: You have 7 months to achieve the SMART statement.
11. Monitor Conditions of Homeless Shelters
“To ensure the safety and well-being of those living in homeless shelters, I’ll implement an inspection system to monitor the conditions of local shelters for 9 months. This system will ensure that the shelters are safe and up to code, providing a comfortable place for those experiencing homelessness.”
Specific: You plan to actively ensure shelters are comfortable and safe for the occupants.
Measurable: You can receive feedback from the occupants on whether the shelters are up to par.
Attainable: This is achievable if you set aside time to monitor homeless shelters.
Relevant: The goal directly relates to the main objective of ensuring the well-being of the homeless population.
Time-based: Goal achievement is expected by the end of 9 months.
12. Empower Homeless Individuals
“I will lead a task force to identify areas of opportunity for homeless individuals to gain skills, resources, and employment by the end of 8 months. This will empower them to live independently and break the cycle of homelessness.”
Specific: You will encourage homeless people to live more independently through resources and employment opportunities.
Measurable: Track how many people you save from homelessness.
Attainable: Empowering the homeless is a reasonable SMART goal.
Relevant: Encouraging homeless people will be one step to a brighter future.
Time-based: You have 8 months to pursue and accomplish this target.
Final Thoughts
Setting SMART goals is a powerful tool to help you end homelessness. You can implement better initiatives and take the necessary action to encourage the homeless population.
But figuring out how to establish SMART objectives may be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time creating goals.
This is where the 12 listed SMART goals examples will prove beneficial. From advocating better legislation to curbing poverty, you’ll find much-needed clarity to confront homelessness issues.
