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Briefing
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- ID System on Blockchain – City of Austin developing new blockchain platform to verify identity of homeless population, enabling them to access critical services
- Awarded with Grant – Received grant as part of Mayor’s Challenge program, which seeks to solve pressing issues, such as homelessness, sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies
- Problem – Homeless people have no reliable identity system, with paper-based IDs easily lost and costly to replace, barring access to employment, housing, and other social services
- Potential Healthcare Benefit – Blockchain-based ID system can store homeless people's records so healthcare provider can check history, allowing for more accurate care
- Homeless Population – Over 7,000 people in Austin currently homeless
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Accelerator
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Sector
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Government (excluding military), Healthcare/Health Sciences, Information Technology
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Source
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"Using blockchain to vouch for identities of the homeless,"
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Crichton, D., "Austin is piloting blockchain to improve homeless services",
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Fingas, J., "Austin test uses blockchain to improve ID for the homeless",
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Bracket, E., "City of Austin is hoping the blockchain can help protect the homeless",
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AcceleratingBiz analysis
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Original Publication Date
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April 15, 2018
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