By Claudio Bono, Founder of GiveaRoof.org
Two years ago, I met a 23-year-old man sleeping on the streets of Silicon Valley. I took the time to speak with him and assessed his needs, gaining an understanding of his psychological state. I felt compelled to act. I redirected him to the nearest place to get a shower and provided him with clean clothes and shoes. I secured 10 nights at a branded hotel using my donated points. Pushed out of his home after his mother remarried and later died in a car crash, he was rejected by his stepfather and left with nothing. For months, he survived outside, his future dim. By day eight, with access to the hotel’s Wi-Fi, he reconnected with distant family online. He soon left for a new life in Florida, with a flight ticket in hand and his dignity restored. This is not just one man’s story—it’s a blueprint to end homelessness.
America faces a crisis: over 580,000 + individuals are homeless nightly, per the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, with 187,000 + in California alone. Traditional approaches—such as shelters and sporadic aid—fail because nonprofits often act in silos, hoarding resources despite receiving over $500 billion in annual federal and state grants. At GiveaRoof.org, we propose a three-year plan to eradicate homelessness utilizing a centralized database, collaboration, and untapped resources, including $25 billion in airline miles and hotel points.
Our strategy begins with triage at welcome centers in major cities, where trained staff assess each person’s needs. Those without emotional, substance abuse, or dependency issues are prioritized for hotel stays, funded by donated loyalty points. Before arriving at temporary Hotels, they’re provided with baths, fresh clothes, and grooming to blend seamlessly into hotel environments, preserving their dignity and the Hotel’s environment. We partner with hotels and transportation companies for logistics, while nonprofits share resources and expertise. Life coaches, therapists, and substance abuse specialists support those in need of more comprehensive care. Joining forces with vocational schools, such as those offering programs in dentistry, hair, and nail technology, and providing real-world experience beyond mannequins, while restoring confidence to unhoused individuals.
Database is the key: it tracks root causes—such as job loss, medical debt, and family breakdown—in real-time, guiding policy and interventions. Scaling this—welcoming 1,000 people daily—could end homelessness by 2028. Economically, it’s a win: a 2020 California study estimated the annual costs of homelessness at $8.1 billion, encompassing healthcare and policing expenses. Housed individuals boost local taxes, reducing that burden. Funding comes from private-sector donations—points from airlines, hotels, and corporations—those same points that also expire yearly, paired with redirected public grants.
This August, my book, launching on the 7th, outlines this plan, with proceeds fueling GiveaRoof.org’s growth. We urgently need the support of local leaders, governors, and the White House to unify efforts, streamline grant processes, and establish welcome centers. Citizens must demand change. One man’s 10 nights in a hotel sparked a new life. Imagine what three years of collective action could do. Join us at GiveaRoof.org to make homelessness history.
Claudio Bono is a social entrepreneur and the founder of GiveaRoof.org, dedicated to ending homelessness through innovative solutions.
