The folks over at Poverty Insights have published an interesting article titled “2012’s Top Steps Towards Ending Homelessness”.  The list includes some obvious steps that have been going on for a number of years (such as working to redefine the term

“homelessness”), but also features some new concepts. For instance, a recent partnership has been forged between private investors and groups working to end homelessness. Social Impact Bonds (SIB) allow investors  to fund social initiatives that ordinarily would be supported by the government and private donors. While not strictly altruistic, this type of relationship allows forward thinking, socially conscious investors to support homelessness initiatives while also earning a profit. In many ways, SIB’s follow the general trend that has been established by the era of “Social Entrepreneurship”–although their are significant differences that ought to be understood. These differences will be delineated and parsed in a future blog post.

Social Impact Bonds are a fascinating new concept that will likely grow more and more important. More information on them can be found below:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2012/08/17/first-for-massachusetts-social-innovation-financing/iW4tO4PrI0bSUo6t63eT2K/story.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/mar/19/investors-pay-for-prisoner-rehabilitation

-Steven P. Rodriguez