RESEARCH PAPER

Shoes for the Homeless (SFTH) is a non-denominational, non-profit/501(c)(3) organization that collects, processes, and distributes shoes, free of charge, to the homeless and those in need. Being a Brand Ambassador/State coordinator for this organization, I wrote a detailed research paper as part of my onboarding project with them and collected over 300 pair of shoes via multiple donation drives in late 2024. Below is an excerpt from the paper that I produced.

November 10, 2024

Impact of Improper Footwear On the Homeless Population

In Hennepin County, Minnesota, homelessness continues to be a big challenge, with around 738 people experiencing homelessness in the county in 2023, which represents a 50% increase since 2018. A census taken on January 25, 2024, found that in Hennepin County, “3361 people were staying in shelters, and transitional housing programs, and 496 people were experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Those numbers compare with 2,843 and 469, respectively, in 2023” (Health, Human Services and Public). A prominent issue in the homeless communities, that doesn’t get enough attention, is the unhoused population lacking the proper footwear.

Having the proper footwear is often taken for granted, but for many unhoused individuals, this is not a privilege that they get to enjoy. It is a consistent and significant issue that affects their lives on a daily basis. Improper footwear causes health issues, and limits mobility, among the homeless population. Many organizations have taken the steps in recognizing and addressing this issue by giving shoes to the homeless. Homeless populations lacking proper footwear is a very overlooked subject that is important to understand, in order to combat homelessness.

Without access to the correct footwear, many unhoused individuals face a variety of damaging health issues: such as chronic conditions, infections, and foot related injuries. According to research published in PLOS ONE, “foot conditions were highly prevalent among homeless individuals with up to two thirds reporting a foot health concern, approximately one quarter of individuals visiting a health professional, and one fifth of individuals requiring further follow-up due to the severity of their condition” (To). Furthermore, according to a study from the Dalhousie University, “homeless and vulnerably housed people are seriously affected by a wide range of foot problems — from infections, ulcers, and injuries, to deformities, ingrown toenails, and nerve damage caused by uncontrolled diabetes. For some, problems as severe as frostbite, gangrene and diabetic neuropathy can lead to amputation” (Dalhousie University). These pieces of evidence show how not having the proper footwear, can result in serious health complications, which can dramatically impact one’s life.

The second major problem of not having the proper footwear, is that it can also limit mobility among the homeless population. According to research published in the Public Library of Science, homeless individuals had a higher probability of functional limitations with walking, compared to housed individuals across studies (To). The research also states, “Walking is a common mode of transportation among homeless individuals and increased risks of physical injury, poor hygiene, and inadequate footwear have been cited as contributing factors to the development of foot problems” (To). Limited mobility can make it harder to be able to access essential resources, such as shelters, hospitals, and job opportunities. According to a study from the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, “people experiencing homelessness reported a reduction in pain as well as improved walking speeds six weeks after being provided with correctly fitted sports shoes” (Mullins). This exemplifies the fact that inadequate footwear causes limited mobility. Walking is one of the main forms of transportation among homeless people, so having pain and discomfort while walking, can cause much more hardship and isolation.

Donating shoes to the homeless is a major way of helping benefit this cause. The organization that I chose to donate the shoes I collected from my shoe drive is Stepping Stone Emergency Housing. The address of this organization is 3300 4th Ave N, Cronin Building #14, Anoka, MN 55303. Their website address is www.steppingstoneeh.org, and they’re an organization that is dedicated to ending homelessness. I chose this organization because it is one of the only shelters in Anoka County, Minnesota that gives emergency housing, along with support to unhoused individuals. This organization offers a safe place to stay for the homeless, and helps them by giving them resources. Through donating shoes to them, they can provide these essential resources to unhoused individuals, and help empower them.

Improper footwear among the unhoused population directly impacts their mobility and causes health issues. These health issues can vary from infections to injuries, and can eventually lead to serious health problems. Limited mobility can cause further hardship and isolation among homeless people, and cause them to not have access to important resources. Organizations across the country are working towards combating this issue through distributing shoes, and promoting better foot health. Collecting shoes and donating them to organizations that will use the shoes to help the homeless, such as Stepping Stone Emergency Housing, is a way to fight for this cause. Through the continuous support dedicated towards this crisis, access to proper footwear for the entire homeless population is a possible future.