Basic Info

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Nominee Information

Institutional Information

Member State Thailand
Institution Name Thai Health Promotion Foundation
Institution Type Public Agency
Administrative Level National
Name of initiative Homeless Shelter for well-being of the homeless
Projects Operational Years 5
Website of Institution

Question 1: About the Initiative

Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories

Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Delivering inclusive and equitable services for all
UNPSACriteria
NoItems

Question 3: Sustainable Development Goals

Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 1: No Poverty
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Goal 3: Good Health
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
1.1 By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day
1.2 By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions
2.1 By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round
3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all

Question 4: Implementation Date

Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 01 Oct 2015

Question 5: Partners

Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Please provide details

Question 6: Previous Participation

1. Has the initiative submitted an application for consideration in the past 3 years (2017-2019)? No

Question 7: UNPSA Awards

Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 8: Other Awards

Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? No

Question 9: How did you learn about UNPSA?

How did you learn about UNPSA? UN

Question 10: Validation Consent

I give consent to contact relevant persons and entities to inquire about the initiative for validation purpose. Yes

Question 1: About the Initiative

Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories

Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Delivering inclusive and equitable services for all
UNPSACriteria
NoItems

Question 3: Sustainable Development Goals

Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 1: No Poverty
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Goal 3: Good Health
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
1.1 By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day
1.2 By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions
2.1 By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round
3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all

Question 4: Implementation Date

Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 01 Oct 2015

Question 5: Partners

Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Please provide details

Question 6: Previous Participation

1. Has the initiative submitted an application for consideration in the past 3 years (2017-2019)? No

Question 7: UNPSA Awards

Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 8: Other Awards

Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? No

Question 9: How did you learn about UNPSA?

How did you learn about UNPSA? UN

Question 10: Validation Consent

I give consent to contact relevant persons and entities to inquire about the initiative for validation purpose. Yes

Question 1: About the Initiative

Is this a public sector initiative? Yes

Question 2: Categories

Is the initiative relevant to one of the UNPSA categories? Delivering inclusive and equitable services for all
UNPSACriteria
NoItems

Question 3: Sustainable Development Goals

Is the initiative relevant to any of the 17 SDG(s)? Yes
If you answered yes above, please specify which SDG is the most relevant to the initiative. (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Goal 1: No Poverty
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Goal 3: Good Health
Which target(s) within the SDGs specified above is the initiative relevant to? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
1.1 By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day
1.2 By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions
2.1 By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round
3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all

Question 4: Implementation Date

Has the initiative been implemented for two or more years Yes
Please provide date of implemenation (dd/MM/yyyy) 01 Oct 2015

Question 5: Partners

Has the United Nations or any UN agencies been involved in this initiative? No
Which UN agency was involved? (hold Ctrl to select multiple)
Please provide details

Question 6: Previous Participation

1. Has the initiative submitted an application for consideration in the past 3 years (2017-2019)? No

Question 7: UNPSA Awards

Has the initiative already won a UNPS Award? No

Question 8: Other Awards

Has the initiative won other Public Service Awards? No

Question 9: How did you learn about UNPSA?

How did you learn about UNPSA? UN

Question 10: Validation Consent

I give consent to contact relevant persons and entities to inquire about the initiative for validation purpose. Yes

Nomination form

Questions/Answers

Question 1

Please briefly describe the initiative, what issue or challenge it aims to address and specify its objectives. (300 words maximum)
Homeless people are highly vulnerable populations both on social and health aspects compared to the general public. Such vulnerability derived from risks of having to live in a public area, the lack of housing and income security, and vulnerable mental states. Some studies indicated that the insecurity especially regarding the lack of housing and access to comprehensive and effective health care services significantly affected the vulnerability of the homeless. In Thailand, homeless population are found in 3 major cities including Bangkok (1,037 people), Khon Kaen City Municipality (136 people) and Chiangmai City Municipality (168 people). The proportion of male is 85% and female 15%. The study of Awirutworakul et al (2016) found that the longer the homeless lived in a public area, the greater the mental risks at the level of major psychiatric problems they would likely experience. It is evidently clear that “having a housing” is a key social factor affecting their well-being. The innovative “Homeless Shelter for Well-Being” supported by Thai Health Promotion Foundation and partners to enable the homeless greater access to housing is consistent with international guideline of “Housing First” that has proven to help restore homeless people towards a good quality of life (USICH: U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, 2017). This innovation fills the gap of the existing services that may focus only on temporary housing and unable to match the lifestyles and diversity of the homeless. Our shelter is not merely a place to sleep but offers innovative processes, such as empowerment, capacity building, occupational training and community relationship building, to enhance well-being of the homeless in all aspects.

Question 2

Please explain how the initiative is linked to the selected category. (100 words maximum)
The innovative “Homeless Shelter for Well-Being” aligns perfectly to delivering inclusive and equitable services for all because it provides the homeless, one of the most disadvantaged populations anywhere 1) an access to a housing 2) empowerment to build up their mental fortitude and the sense of self-worthiness 3) a mechanism to enable them rights to access to health care services and basic social welfare 4) occupational skills to earn sufficient income for a living and 5) engagement and participation to the community and society to gain acceptance and in preparation to their successful return to the society.

Question 3

a. Please specify which SDGs and target(s) the initiative supports and describe concretely how the initiative has contributed to their implementation. (200 words maximum)
The initiative aligns with the following SDGs. Goal 1: End poverty. The homeless is considered the poorest of the poor. One of the work processes of the shelter is to build occupational skills so they can later earn sufficient income, eradicating severe poverty. The initiative also enables them by 1) collaborating with various organizations to employ the homeless 2) supporting their income generating based on their pre-existing skills such as collecting recycled garbage, handcrafting, food selling. Goal 2: Zero Hunger. After gaining skills and capacity, the homeless could utilize space in the shelter to grow vegetables as food for members of the shelter and giving away to non-sheltered homeless. This helps end hunger and provide insurance for them to have access to safe, nutritious and adequate food. Goal 3. Good Health and Well-being. The shelter supports a process to validate their rights to access to universal health coverage as Thai citizens. In addition, it further offers health promoting interventions to improve their quality of life such as reducing drinking and smoking through vegetables gardening, training the young homeless the elderly care skills, and organizing activities to promote good mental health.
b. Please describe what makes the initiative sustainable in social, economic and environmental terms. (100 words maximum)
Social sustainability is derived from participation of the homeless in every process, from designing shelter, setting its rules, developing work processes, and advocating policies along with partners. They are central drivers of the initiative. For economic sustainability, a homeless welfare fund was established for those unable to help themselves such as the elderly homeless or those with psychiatric conditions to gain access to basic welfare and medical care. For environmental sustainability, the shelter also focuses on systematic waste management, which is directly beneficial to the environment, while proceeds from waste sale provides additional contribution to the welfare fund.

Question 4

a. Please explain how the initiative has addressed a significant shortfall in governance, public administration or public service within the context of a given country or region. (200 words maximum)
At present, although the government offers some temporary shelters for the homeless such as the Mit Maitri House for the Protection for the Helpless, but the number of the homeless and the helpless far exceeded the existing housing capacity. That left hundreds of homeless people without access to housing. Moreover, the settings and processes may not match the diversity of the homeless. Therefore, the Homeless Shelter for Well-Being helps to serve those who did not have access to the government temporary shelters. In addition, it helps to reduce inequality gap by introducing a process to develop citizen registration status for the homeless in order to gain access to health rights and basic social welfare.
b. Please describe how your initiative addresses gender inequality in the country context. (100 words maximum)
There is an equal access to our innovative homeless shelter regardless of gender. The access to housing can also help reduce the violence against the female homeless who previously stayed and slept in a public area. The working processes at the shelter also engage participation of the female homeless to become leaders/role models in various functions such as occupational skills training, managing the welfare fund, and etc.
c. Please describe who the target group(s) were, and explain how the initiative improved outcomes for these target groups. (200 words maximum)
In 2018, around 480 homeless people or 31.62% of the target population in the Bangkok, Khon Kaen, and Chiangmai areas were validated and gained the rights to access the Universal Health Coverage (which provides basic health services for all Thai citizens). In addition, the success in advocating for policy to build 3 more similar shelters resulted in an additional coverage to over 600 homeless people.

Question 5

a. Please describe how the initiative was implemented including key developments and steps, monitoring and evaluation activities, and the chronology. (300 words)
This innovation is a systematic collaboration with relevant partners to address the causes of homelessness, to build capacity of the current homeless and returning them to society, and to prevent them from repeated homelessness. The “Tri-power Strategy,” namely the power of knowledge, the power of policy, and the power of social mobilization, is applied to drive the initiative, as follows. 1.Generate the knowledge needed for promoting well-being of the homeless, such as developing methodology and conducting a situation survey of the homeless to understand and design processes to manage relations within the shelter. 2.Remove obstacles in accessing healthcare services and social welfare through the process of citizen rights validation and registration. 3.Develop suitable health promoting inventions, such as reducing risks from smoking and drinking by engaging them in healthy activities such as organic vegetable farming and raising animals as a food source and for income. 4.Advocate policies conducive to well-being such as 1.) Building of a similar shelter in 3 additional cities and 2.) establishment of the Thais without Rights Fund to support the homeless who have no access to any health services. 5.Support the occupational skills training and the management models such as social enterprise “Hopeful Co. Ltd.” which conducts support and management for occupational security of the homeless, or the model in Khon Kaen province where the private sector does job matching for the homeless who have been through occupational training. 6.Build preparation for the homeless to return to the society by building their capacities and engaging them in social events and movements. 7.Synergize the powers from all sectors to integrate operations and set up a local mechanism to promote well-being of the homeless. 8.Build positive attitude of society towards the homeless. Reduce bias and prejudice.
b. Please clearly explain the obstacles encountered and how they were overcome. (100 words)
The homeless is a vulnerable population with complex and multi-faceted problems, such as personal issues, family problems, unfair social structures, economic pressures, and difficulties of living in a public place. This results in the lack of self-confidence or sense of empowerment. Many cases also suffer mental problems. Due to all these challenges, each process inside the Homeless Shelter for Well-Being does require a long time to conduct and see results. The solution is to focus on empowerment of the homeless for them to see their own values and regain hope in life through the group process.

Question 6

a. Please explain in what ways the initiative is innovative in the context of your country or region. (100 words maximum)
Although our Homeless Shelter is based on the idea of a housing for the homeless but it is different than other shelters in the “innovation of processes,” where we systematically develop capacity of the homeless, with them being central key actors, and cater to their own need, lifestyles, and diversity. Our shelter thus consists of a temporary shelter, processes to build capacity and enhance well-being, occupational development and educational support, and the engagement and participation with the society. Thus, they would gain a sense of ownership and can also help other homeless people outside the shelter.
b. Please describe, if relevant, how the initiative drew inspiration from successful initiative in other regions, countries and localities. (100 words maximum)
This innovative Homeless Shelter further extends the concept of the existing government shelters, which mostly focus on providing just a “temporary housing.” This innovation enhances and fills the gap of the existing services that may not match the lifestyles and diversity of the homeless. For example, the traditional shelter may offer a housing without capacity building nor participation of the homeless. Our shelter in not merely housing but innovative processes to enhance well-being of the homeless in all aspects.

Question 7

a. Has the initiative been transferred and/or adapted to other contexts (e.g. other cities, countries or regions) to your organization’s knowledge? If yes, please explain where and how. (200 words maximum)
The success of our innovative Homeless Shelter for Well-being led to a policy recommendation to the government to support and scale up such innovation. Consequently, on 8th March, 2016, the cabinet issued a resolution on the quality of life improvement of the homeless, expanding such Homeless Shelters as well as the homeless-centric capacity building processes to 3 other cities (Prathum Thani, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen). Moreover, there have been a number of study visits both by government agencies and NGOs from other countries to learn and apply similar concept of this innovative shelter in their countries, such as Malaysia, South Korea, the Philippines, and etc.
b. If not yet transferred/adapted to other contexts, please describe the potential for transferability. (200 words maximum)
N/A

Question 8

a. What specific resources (i.e. financial, human or others) were used to implement the initiative? (100 words maximum)
This approach to support the homeless is intricate and requires time to address in-depth individual issues. Previously there was no government agency responsible for such tasks. Thus, ThaiHealth supported 8.9 million THB for the period of 3 years for this innovative approach, allocated for knowledge generation, process development and capacity building, policy advocacy, and public communications to promote positive attitudes towards the homeless. The subsequent cabinet resolution resulted in the government allocating 118 million THB to purchase lands and construct 3 more shelters while ThaiHealth provided support on capacity building for the homeless at the 3 shelters.
b. Please explain what makes the initiative sustainable over time, in financial and institutional terms. (100 words maximum)
The main factor enabling sustainability of this innovative homeless shelter is the engagement of the homeless themselves in each and every process and their sense of ownership of the shelter. Another key factor is the successful advocacy for a long-term policy, whereas the homeless housing is incorporated into Thailand’s 20-Year Housing Development Master Plan.

Question 9

a. Was the initiative formally evaluated either internally or externally?
Yes
b. Please describe how it was evaluated and by whom? (100 words maximum)
The evaluation was carried out by a team from Puey Ungphakorn School of Development Studies, Thammasat University, who reviewed the progress, successes, and the outcome/impact, whether the innovative work resulted in a significant change in the quality of life improvement of the homeless.
c. Please describe the indicators and tools used. (100 words maximum)
The evaluation was aimed at the connection/rationality of the strategy for this innovation and the situations of the problem, the progress and successes, as well as the impact to the homeless. Several evaluation tools were used including literature review, in-depth interviews, and observations in activities.
d. What were the main findings of the evaluation (e.g. adequacy of resources mobilized for the initiative, quality of implementation and challenges faced, main outcomes, sustainability of the initiative, impacts) and how this information is being used to inform the initiative’s implementation. (200 words maximum)
The evaluation result indicated that the strategy to improve quality of life of the homeless utilizing the innovative Homeless Shelter as the key driver led to a significant change and progress in enhancing infrastructure for policy, law, important data set, and knowledge for relevant operations and human resources. It led to the significant change in the working situation regarding the quality of life improvement of the homeless. That is, the “homeless people” became more recognized by various organizations. There are now policy, system and mechanism to support development and integration of work towards quality of life specific to the homeless. There are concrete activities both at national and provincial levels. Moreover, the homeless housing issue is incorporated into Thailand’s 20-Year Housing Development Master Plan 2017-2036.

Question 10

Please describe how the initiative strives to work in an integrated manner within its institutional landscape – for example, how does the initiative work horizontally and/or vertically across different levels of government? (200 words maximum)
There are several organizations involved in the development of the innovative Homeless Shelter for Well-being, including: 1. Generate the knowledge needed for promoting well-being of the homeless (used as input for the formulation and advocacy of policy): Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute (CUSRI); Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University; Faculty of Social Administration, Thammasat University. 2. Develop the processes for capacity building and well-being promotion: Human Settlement Foundation Thailand (HSFT); Faculty Liberal arts And Science, Nakhon Phanom University; Faculty of Physical Therapy, Mahidol University; Srithanya Hospital; Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry; BMA General Hospital. 3. Advocate policy for homeless housing: Human Settlement Foundation Thailand (HSFT); Homeless Association, Four Regions Slum Network. 4. Advocate policy on the rights to access health services: National Health Security Office (NHSO); Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute (CUSRI); Department of Social Development and Welfare (DSDW), Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.

Question 11

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development puts emphasis on collaboration, engagement, partnerships, and inclusion. Please describe which stakeholders were engaged in designing, implementing and evaluating the initiative and how this engagement took place. (200 words maximum)
Stakeholder engagement took place among mult-sectoral partners in various ways including through policy and strategy mechanisms, MoUs, joint working instruments, or a provincial framework. 1. The collaboration on development of housing to improve the quality of life of the homeless between Human Settlement Foundation Thailand (HSFT); Homeless Association; Community Organizations Development Institute; and Prime Minister's Office under the cabinet resolution and Thailand’s 20-Year Housing Development Master Plan 2017-2036 2. The collaboration to support the homeless’ access to universal health coverage between National Health Security office (NHSO); Ministry of Social Development and Human Security; Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth); Human Settlement Foundation Thailand (HSFT); Homeless Association, Four Regions Slum Network; and Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute (CUSRI). 3. Joint advocacy for a provincial committee to resolve homeless problems consisting of local governments, academia, and CSO under a joint MoU together with a provincial health resolution and the strategy to develop the homeless served as joint instruments for the collective work.

Question 12

Please describe the key lessons learned, and how your organization plans to improve the initiative. (200 words maximum)
An important lesson from the work to improve the quality of life of the homeless, is that it is authentic proof of the belief in human potential. Being one of the most disadvantaged groups in society, with a proper approach of multi-sectoral partners to work with them, the homeless can be empowered to become productive members in supporting the sustainable development of society that leaves no one behind. For the supporting partners, the change of approach from offering them aid or giveaways to helping them build capacity, self-confidence, participation, and ownership as the central actor to better the conditions of themselves and their peers, are the key to the lasting success and change.

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