Street Ninja
An SMS-powered tool to connect vulnerable people with real help.
Real-time access to food, shelter, wifi, and other essential resources—fast, simple, and judgment-free.
How it works
Text for help. Get real-time info. Locate key services like food and shelter without apps or internet.
Find food, shelter, water, restrooms, and WiFi instantly with a simple text.
Why it works
No apps, no sign-ups—just fast, real-time access to essential services.
No apps needed
Works via SMS, no downloads or accounts required.
Finding food, shelter, and essentials shouldn’t be complicated. Street Ninja works via text, so there’s no need for an app, an account, or an internet connection. Just send a message and get help immediately.
Help without stigma
No judgment, no explaining—just answers
Asking for help can be hard. Long waits, invasive questions, and judgmental attitudes can make it even harder. Street Ninja lets people find what they need on their own terms—privately, quickly, and without having to justify themselves to anyone.
Supporting existing services
Handles simple inquiries, reducing pressure on 211.
211 is an essential service that handles a high volume of calls. Street Ninja provides fast, automated answers for everyday needs—freeing up 211’s resources for more complex situations.
Works via SMS, no downloads or accounts required.
Finding food, shelter, and essentials shouldn’t be complicated. Street Ninja works via text, so there’s no need for an app, an account, or an internet connection. Just send a message and get help immediately.
No judgment, no explaining—just answers
Asking for help can be hard. Long waits, invasive questions, and judgmental attitudes can make it even harder. Street Ninja lets people find what they need on their own terms—privately, quickly, and without having to justify themselves to anyone.
Handles simple inquiries, reducing pressure on 211.
211 is an essential service that handles a high volume of calls. Street Ninja provides fast, automated answers for everyday needs—freeing up 211’s resources for more complex situations.
What's next
To make this project a reality, we need developers, funders, and data providers. If you can help, let’s connect.
Getting Off the Ground
Street Ninja is running on (mostly) free-tier everything—free geocoding tools, free map routing data, and discounted SMS services. It works, but it’s not ideal. With funding, we can make it faster, smarter, and easier to use.
Better Geospatial Data
Right now, route mapping for `directions` inquiries isn't built for foot traffic. Funding lets us upgrade to premium routing APIs for clearer, walking-friendly directions.
Dedicated Short Code
No one remembers a random 1-800 number. A short code makes Street Ninja easier to access when it matters most.
SMS Costs & Scaling
The SMS gateway powers Street Ninja’s ability to send and receive texts—it’s essential for making the service work. We have a non-profit discount, but it’s still a pay-per-text system, and costs add up. Funding helps keep Street Ninja accessible to everyone.
Expanding Data Access
The more data Street Ninja can access, the better the service becomes. Real-time updates and new data sources allow us to provide more accurate, relevant, and useful information.
Live Shelter Availability
Instead of static listings, real-time shelter capacity data means users see open beds before they arrive.
Medical & Health Services
Expanding into walk-in clinics, harm reduction, and urgent care services ensures people get the help they need, faster.
More Data Partners
More data partners mean better, more detailed help—more accurate shelter info, more up-to-date resources, and a broader reach. We're always looking to integrate with existing systems, but if the infrastructure isn't there, we're open to helping build it too.
Getting the Word Out
Street Ninja is built by developers, not community organizers. We know tech, but we’re not experts in NGOs, city partnerships, or fundraising. To grow this project, we need people who know that world and can help navigate it.
Non-Profit
If you know how nonprofits and city programs operate, we’d love your insight. Navigating this world takes experience—understanding the processes, the right approaches, and how to move things forward.
Community & Lived Experience
No one understands what’s needed better than the people who have lived it. If you have first-hand experience with homelessness, your voice matters here. Tell us what works, what doesn’t, and what would actually help.
Developers & Tech Contributors
If you’re a developer who wants to help, check out the GitHub repo for ways to contribute: CONTRIBUTING.md.
Getting Off the Ground
Street Ninja is running on (mostly) free-tier everything—free geocoding tools, free map routing data, and discounted SMS services. It works, but it’s not ideal. With funding, we can make it faster, smarter, and easier to use.
Better Geospatial Data
Right now, route mapping for `directions` inquiries isn't built for foot traffic. Funding lets us upgrade to premium routing APIs for clearer, walking-friendly directions.
Dedicated Short Code
No one remembers a random 1-800 number. A short code makes Street Ninja easier to access when it matters most.
SMS Costs & Scaling
The SMS gateway powers Street Ninja’s ability to send and receive texts—it’s essential for making the service work. We have a non-profit discount, but it’s still a pay-per-text system, and costs add up. Funding helps keep Street Ninja accessible to everyone.
Get involved
If you have feedback, want to contribute, or just want to connect, reach out. Developers can check out the GitHub repo to get involved. Street Ninja is 100% open-source.
Frequently asked questions
If you’ve read how it works but still have a few questions, this should help.
Usage
Who can use Street Ninja?
Anyone with a phone can use it. You don’t need a smartphone, internet, or an account—just send a text message to get started.
Does Street Ninja cost anything?
The service is free, but standard text message rates may apply depending on your phone plan.
Do I have to remember all the keywords like 'food' and 'shelter' in order to use it?
Kind of. Although each keyword has multiple fall-back words that are also acceptable. For example, 'breakfast' or 'meal' will work in place of 'food'. You can also just type 'help' to get information on which keywords you can search for.
Data collection
How accurate is the information?
We update resource listings regularly, but availability can change quickly. If something is outdated, we encourage users to report it.
Where does the data come from?
Currently all data comes from the City of Vancouver OpenData API. We are looking to expand to other data sources, as we believe the more information we can get and the more resources we can connect people with, the more powerful Street Ninja will become.
Can I report incorrect or missing information?
Yes, please do! If you notice incorrect details, let us know in the 'Contact' page so we can improve the accuracy of our data for everyone.
Expansion
How can I help improve Street Ninja?
We need funding, more data sources, and outreach support. Also further testing of the app (hello developers!). If you can help in any of these areas, please reach out.
Will this service expand to more cities?
That depends on funding and data availability. If you're interested in bringing Street Ninja to your city, please get in touch.
Can organizations list their services on Street Ninja?
Yes! If you run a shelter, food program, or another essential service, we’d love to add your resource to our system.