The word was coined by Professor Jo Richardson when she was designing a research project and fundraising campaign to resolve and prevent homelessness. It brings together the words hopeful and home, and is an antonym to homeless (Find out more on the Homeful podcast with Susie Dent here). It is a wholehearted approach to thinking about place and identity which can be helpful for exploring what it means to feel ‘at home’ in the world.
“Before the pandemic even hit, more than 121,000 young people needed support because they were facing or experiencing homelessness”.
The person behind the concept
Jo is Professor of Housing and Social Inclusion. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing. Jo has over 20 years of experience working in the higher education sector, and prior to that she worked in the social housing sector.
More about Homeful
The Homeful research project and fundraising campaign was undertaken in 2022. Further housing research is ongoing. Jo is also a qualified and accredited executive coach (AoC) embracing the wholehearted values of Homeful to support her clients feel ‘at home’ in their professional lives.