5 Athletes Who Advocate for Homelessness: Using their Platforms for Good
Professional athletes can bring funding and public attention to organizations helping people without safe housing. Some athletes also have personal experience with housing instability, giving them a direct connection to the issue.
These five athletes have documented involvement with housing or homelessness programs.
Athletes Helping Fight Homelessness
1. LeBron James
LeBron James has invested in housing programs for families in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, through the LeBron James Family Foundation.
The foundation helped establish I PROMISE Village, which provides transitional housing to families experiencing homelessness or other serious hardships.
In 2023, the foundation and East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation opened I PROMISE Housing, a 50-unit affordable apartment community. Residents can also access financial counseling, mental health services and other family resources.
2. Saquon Barkley
NFL running back Saquon Barkley has spoken openly about experiencing a period of homelessness with his family during childhood.
Barkley has supported Covenant House New Jersey, which provides shelter and long-term support to young people facing homelessness and human trafficking.
He has chaired Covenant House Sleep Out fundraisers and helped the organization raise millions of dollars for housing, food, healthcare, counseling and employment services.
3. Jalen Brunson
New York Knicks player Jalen Brunson leads Covenant House’s Player Ambassador Council, a group of sports figures working to raise awareness and funding for homeless youth.
Brunson and his family have supported Covenant House programs in Pennsylvania and New York. The organization honored him with its Beacon of Hope Award in 2023.
He has participated in fundraising campaigns, visited young residents and used his public platform to promote the belief that safe housing is a basic human right.
4. Colin Kaepernick
Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick included homelessness organizations in his Million Dollar Pledge supporting underserved communities.
In 2017, he donated $25,000 to New York City’s Coalition for the Homeless. The money supported food programs and crisis-intervention services.
Kaepernick also participated in a separate campaign benefiting School on Wheels, an organization providing educational assistance to students experiencing homelessness.
5. Vernon Davis
Former NFL tight end Vernon Davis has participated in Covenant House campaigns supporting young people experiencing homelessness.
Davis has joined other athletes and entertainers in raising awareness and critical funding for shelter, meals, clothing and long-term support services.
Covenant House has identified Davis as one of its champions in the broader effort to end youth homelessness.
How Athletes Can Make a Difference
Athletes cannot solve homelessness simply by lending their names to a campaign. Their involvement is most useful when it directs money, volunteers and public attention toward experienced service organizations.
LeBron James, Saquon Barkley, Jalen Brunson, Colin Kaepernick and Vernon Davis have supported housing programs or organizations assisting people without stable homes.
Fact-check note: This article was reviewed and updated in July 2026. Michael Phelps, David Beckham, Serena Williams and Tim Howard were removed because the previous version did not provide adequate evidence for its specific claims about their homelessness advocacy.