What is AHI
Arts & Homelessness International (AHI) is a global charity and movement that works to improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness through creativity.
They don't just provide "art classes"; they focus on co-production, meaning at least 50% of their staff and board have lived experience of homelessness.
Arts & Homelessness International (AHI) is a global charity and movement that works to improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness through creativity.
They don't just provide "art classes"; they focus on co-production, meaning at least 50% of their staff and board have lived experience of homelessness.
1. What Arts & Homelessness International Does
AHI acts as a global "connective tissue" for the sector.
Advocacy: They lobby local councils and governments to include arts and creative programs as a standard part of homelessness recovery strategies.
Research: They gather evidence to prove that creativity isn't a "luxury"—it is a vital tool for mental health, building agency, and finding a path out of homelessness.
Training (The Associates Programme): They run a world-first leadership program for artists who have been homeless, training them to become professional cultural leaders and producers.
Global Networking: They connect projects across the world (from the UK to Brazil to Japan) to share best practices and resources.
2. How Music Specifically Helps Homeless People
While AHI supports all arts (visual, theater, etc.), music is a core part of their network. They support and partner with organizations like Streetwise Opera and The Choir with No Name.
Building Agency and "Self-Efficacy": When someone is homeless, they are often treated as a "problem to be solved" or a passive recipient of charity.
Creating music—writing a lyric or mastering a melody—shifts that person from a "homeless person" to a "creator." This builds the confidence needed to take other steps, like applying for housing or jobs. Reducing Social Isolation: Homelessness is incredibly lonely.
Choirs and music workshops create an instant community. AHI emphasizes music as a way to build "social capital"—connections that provide emotional support and stability. Psychological Recovery: Research promoted by AHI shows that music-making can reduce cortisol (stress) levels and help process trauma. For someone living in the chaos of the streets or temporary hostels, a music session provides a "focussed space" of calm and safety.
Changing Public Perception: AHI uses music performances to challenge the stigma of homelessness. When the public sees a person performing at a professional level in a venue like the London Cultural Olympiad (where AHI began), it humanizes the performer and breaks down the "us vs. them" barrier.
Summary of Impact
AHI views music and art as "the bridge to everything else." While a bed and food are essential, music provides the motivation, identity, and resilience required for a person to actually sustain a life off the streets.
If you are looking to support them or get involved, you can find their global directory of arts projects at