Innovating for Inclusion: How AYCGL Students Are Bridging the Digital Divide for the Unhoused

The Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership's (AYCGL) Leadership Innovation Lab is dedicated to researching and implementing technological solutions that address social challenges affecting underserved communities. Comprising student teams guided by faculty advisors, the lab provides opportunities for students to join existing teams or propose new leadership initiatives. The program follows the Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) model—a curricular framework that enables students from freshman to senior year to collaborate on long-term projects aligned with faculty research interests. Participants receive one academic credit hour per semester and financial support for study abroad experiences.

This semester, the primary focus is exploring digital methods to enable financial contributions to unhoused individuals. According to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in January 2023, approximately 653,000 individuals were experiencing homelessness in the United States on a single night. For perspective, the city of Atlanta has a population of 510,823—highlighting that the number of unhoused individuals nationwide exceeds the population of a major U.S. city.

A significant barrier faced by unhoused individuals is the lack of access to traditional banking services or digital payment systems. Factors such as the absence of a permanent address, government-issued identification, and difficulty maintaining minimum account balances prevent many from participating in the digital economy. In some cases, individuals avoid financial institutions due to negative past experiences or a general distrust of the banking system.

This issue is exacerbated by the country’s shift toward a cashless economy. As of 2024, approximately 40% of Americans report carrying cash only occasionally or not at all, and 41% state they do not use cash for purchases in a typical week. While around 60% still carry some cash, it is primarily for emergencies rather than daily transactions. Younger generations—particularly Gen Z and Millennials—are driving the transition to digital payments through mobile wallets, contactless cards, and peer-to-peer platforms such as Venmo and Cash App.

Many unhoused individuals rely on the generosity of passersby in public spaces to meet daily needs. However, as fewer people carry cash, the ability to give spontaneously is diminishing. Even those who wish to help may lack the means to do so. This growing gap risks excluding unhoused individuals from the evolving financial ecosystem.

The Leadership Innovation Lab is actively developing solutions that enable everyday people to provide financial support to unhoused individuals through secure and accessible digital platforms. By integrating the unhoused population into the digital payment system, we aim to promote inclusive generosity and ensure that no one is left behind as society continues its transition toward cashless transactions.