Street Homelessness

Converting shipping containers into temporary shelter

A faster, cheaper, and more impactful housing option for hard-to-reach homeless residents

Piloted in Atlanta, Georgia and replicating in Los Angeles, California and Newark, New Jersey, this solution repurposes shipping containers into low-cost, temporary housing villages that are supported by social services. Together these three cities have collectively built over 300 bed-units more quickly and inexpensively than other temporary housing interventions trialed in mid-to-large sized cities from San Francisco, California to Washington, D.C., reducing construction costs by 30 percent per bed compared to traditional shelters, and completing construction within just three to six months.

The Impact:

  • 30 percent lower construction cost per bed compared to traditional shelters, with construction complete in 3-6 months.
  • From Newark, Los Angeles, and Atlanta to Bristol and Brighton, these cities have already produced over 300-bed units to support those who need it.

What you can do with this idea:

  • Contribute to the reduction of street homelessness in an impactful and easily replicable way.
  • More cost and time effective solution compared to the higher cost and long lead time it takes to build traditional shelters.
  • Reach homeless populations who are looking for an alternative to traditional shelters.
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