麻豆传媒映画

On the streets of San Diego 鈥� under bridges, in encampments, or in shelters 鈥� more than 10,000 people are experiencing homelessness as reported in the .   

Now, 麻豆传媒映画 researchers are bringing collaborative solutions to these unhoused communities through the use of big data science, geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI), and social science mechanisms with the support of a $450,000 three-year National Science Foundation grant. 

Ming-Hsiang Tsou, professor of geography and director of the , is the principal investigator (PI) on the project along with a team of co-PIs. Together, they are developing actionable solutions and collaborations with local agencies to study the dynamic changes of the homeless population in the County of San Diego.

Co-PIs include Atsushi Nara, associate professor of geography; Xiaobai Liu, associate professor of computer science; Audrey Beck, associate professor of sociology; and Gabriela Fernandez, lecturer in geography and graduate advisor for . 

In development is an innovative framework combined with scientific tools that visualize and study dynamic changes in homeless populations through integration of multiple data sources like GeoAI, remote sensing imagery, street views, and GIS databases. 

Researchers are analyzing migration patterns, learning about the socioeconomic impacts of homelessness on local neighborhoods, and building a consortium to promote collaboration among researchers, stakeholders, and the community 鈥� all in order to inform policy decisions and interventions that can improve the health and welfare of the homeless population. 

Regional workshops and webinars will continue through 2027. And, the , hosted by 麻豆传媒映画 and Tsou鈥檚 team, includes an overarching theme 鈥渉omeless solutions鈥� 鈥� a direct result of the grant project. Students and the public are invited to participate on teams that compete to develop apps, platforms, or other technology that bring new solutions for homelessness to the San Diego community. 

鈥淥ur long-term goal is to provide this information to government agencies to help them make better decisions,鈥� Tsou said. 鈥淲e must put empathy and humanity at the center of our research focus when we analyze these data. We need to understand the needs of those people and their stories behind the data we collected, because it's not just a dataset 鈥� they are real persons behind these numbers.鈥� 

The San Diego Homeless and Health EquAlity Research Team known as the , developed by the researchers, is a way to connect with regional groups advocating for unhoused individuals. Two SDHEART events in June brought together NGOs, city and county agencies, students, and academic researchers. 

鈥淭he work is essential. It brings to light the daily struggles many face, like lack of access to housing, healthcare, safety and support,鈥� said Fernandez.

Fernandez trained and supervised undergraduate and graduate student researchers in ethical fieldwork practices, spatial data collection using ArcGIS Survey123, and participant engagement strategies. 

Nearly 100 interviews of unhoused individuals have been completed, and 200 more are planned. Students from geography, sociology, public health and urban studies have engaged in research and are continuing to interview the homeless community members alongside the . 

鈥淭his experience has deepened my understanding of data analysis beyond the classroom and given me the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that aims to improve outcomes for the unhoused community in San Diego,鈥� said master鈥檚 in public health student Olivia Pugsley, who joined the team in late 2024.

When decision-makers, students and residents hear the stories and see the data, it may challenge them to think differently about homelessness 鈥� to see it not as a statistic, but a shared responsibility. 

鈥淭his project is not just about research, it鈥檚 about relationships,鈥� Fernandez said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about transforming the way we engage with the most marginalized members of our society and using every tool we have, from GIS to storytelling, to advocate for dignity and equity. Through storytelling, we are giving a voice to homeless people. We want to share their stories and understand how the city鈥檚 resources are being used.鈥�

In order to solve complex issues like homelessness, listening is essential, said Fernandez.

鈥淭his project is about listening, learning, and acting together. I鈥檓 proud to be part of a team that believes community voices shape community solutions,鈥� said Fernandez. 

_________________________

The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded the grant to 麻豆传媒映画 on September 1, 2024, through its Division of Social and Economic Sciences (SES). This division aims to deepen understanding of human behavior, cooperation, and societal structures to enhance quality of life and economic prosperity. The broader Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) supports foundational research on how social, economic, political, and environmental factors interact with human lives. It also funds vital research infrastructure and data collection, driving discoveries that strengthen industries, communities, and U.S. economic leadership.