Put The Homeless In A Box

Major population areas have seen a marked increase in homelessness as we enter the second decade of the twenty-first century. Municipal programs to mitigate the problem have been drastically eroded due to reduced property tax revenue. Even worse, cities have been passing ordinances in the past two years that frequently serve as a tool for criminalizing homelessness.

We expect the Three Year Adjustment in Adjustable Rate Mortgages, starting in 2010, to cause a marked increase in single family residence foreclosures, making it necessary for families to seek safety and shelter in urban areas.

Frequent polls are conducted to determine the amount of homeless people in the cities throughout the United States. At last count homelessness is predominately a major city problem with smaller suburban cities having the least amount of homeless people. However, over thirty-five percent of those asked, gave a neighboring small city or rural area as the last place where they had adequate housing.

Communities need to take action now. Creating a rapid re-housing plan will take a political solution. Federal, State, County and Municipal elected officials must assume the responsibility for workable resolutions in this time of economic crisis or we are confronted with a return to the dark ages. With the US economy tanking the homeless problem will only increase. We often think of homeless people as alcoholics or mentally challenged, which is often true, but more frequently we find whole families, with young and school age children affected.

One answer that has been presented to various state agencies, city councils, churches and civic organizations is the use of marine shipping containers for housing. They come in twenty and forty foot models. They are sturdy and well insulated, and renowned for temperature stability and mobility. Over two hundred thousand forty-footers, at one to two thousand dollars each, are available nationally due to the trade imbalance.

Containers, sometimes called homes in a box will provide housing for the athletes in the Winter Olympics in British Columbia this year. Costs for the high end design run about $150 per sq. ft. compared to $450 for conventional housing. Constructed locally with homeless worker participation it could be done for $35 per sq. ft On site workers can convert new and used marine containers, to units for on site offices, workshops and secure accommodation units as well as customizing metal shipping containers to a municipalities specification. Accommodation units can be designed and converted for a wide range of purposes to suit the family needs.

A typical residential solar array for this type of residence, providing one twenty amp circuit for lighting and receptacle loads during daylight hours, is a perfect fit for this type of dwelling. By making the housing units energy efficient with solar power, we provide an opportunity to train and employ workers in Solar Energy technology. Hands on experience with solar power installation and maintenance will be a valuable tool to anyone seeking employment in the building trades. The family dwelling units can be easily disassembled and moved, as needed, when the crisis ends.

By: Seaport Jim

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Jim Flynn is active in E Commerce and likes using his experience and education as part of a problem solving team. Visit his newest site at www.dealease.com.