Social equity for wicked problems: achieving racial equity in homeless service provision

Abstract

Some scholars argue that equity cannot be a separate pillar of public management; it must intersect with its core theories and elements. By using mixed-methods in studying racial equity in homelessness, we forge connections between public management – leadership, planning, collaboration, budgeting, implementation, and evaluation – and social equity – representation, procedural fairness, access, quality, and outcomes – to develop the Social Equity for Wicked Problems (SEWP) framework. We find variation in how communities connect public management to equity. SEWP can help communities respond to systemic inequality and create equitable solutions when implementing policy to respond to wicked problems.