Discussion on “Homelessness and Wealth Disparity in America” with Mark McGreevy
Mark McGreevy is the founder of the Institute of Global Homelessness (established in 2012) at DePaul University in Chicago. He is also the Chief Executive of DePaul International, which oversees related charities operating in the US, Ireland, Slovakia, Ukraine, France, and Croatia, providing services for over 22,000 people annually. It is the first organization to focus on homelessness as a global phenomenon, with an emphasis on those who are living on the street or in emergency shelters.
McGreevy will explore the impact of income disparity and how it contributes to homelessness in the United States, a powerful and timely issue. Homelessness may not be highly visible on the Eastern Shore, but annually, over 600 people lack housing. One needs to go no further than Baltimore and Washington, DC to witness those experiencing homelessness in unsafe conditions not meant for habitation.
In a landmark speech in January 2018 to the United Nations Commission for Social Development, he recommended a systemic approach to eliminating homelessness and described the success of the work being done at IGH. He has also been a Ted Talk presenter discussing the possibility of ending global homelessness and eradicating poverty. Based on his 30 years’ experience, McGreevy will dialogue with the Fellows on how DePaul and IGH are building on existing works and projects and strengthening a response to homelessness so that the universal need to have a home and a stake in society is met.
For his dedicated and effective work on homelessness, Mark McGreevy has received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to homelessness internationally.