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Houses so small, they can be legally parked on the street

by Paul Myers
42 replies
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Interesting approach to the question of homelessness.
  • Profile picture of the author Robert Michael
    whoa, thats pretty tight.

    good for her.
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    I like the way she's thinking outside of the box. In most cities this would probably be impractical because of an already shortage of parking spots. But it's great to get fresh eyes on an age old problem.
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  • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
    That's really pretty cool and a great idea...not real secure though - but very suitable.

    I kind of like this one...pretty trick - Oscar's movin on up! Plus, it's camouflaged!

    http://www.berkeleyside.com/2011/08/...dumpster-home/

    And check out some of this great space saving technology...
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Originally Posted by MoneyMagnetMagnate View Post

      That's really pretty cool and a great idea...not real secure though - but very suitable.
      True, but it's gotta be more secure than a cardboard box or a park bench. And a hell of a lot more dignified.

      Thanks for the other pointers, folks. Some good stuff here.


      Paul
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      • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
        Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

        True, but it's gotta be more secure than a cardboard box or a park bench. And a hell of a lot more dignified.

        Thanks for the other pointers, folks. Some good stuff here.

        Paul
        You're definitely right about that Paul - I was just wondering about the putting it in a parking space...a lot of places would restrict that, so they would need a lot or a designated space, but still a great alternative. (especially in Portland where it rains a lot)
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  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    Here's another twist on the same theme...Converting shopping carts into portable housing:

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    • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      Here's another twist on the same theme...Converting shopping carts into portable housing:

      Home On Wheels - YouTube
      I was looking for something just like that. A shopping cart converted to shelter that could be both - great conversion. Fulfills both basic needs.
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    I was thinking that with 1/2 to an acre of land and you could have a homeless shelter with some dignity.
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    How about a shelter that can fit in a backpack, and can literally be setup in seconds?

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  • Profile picture of the author Nicola Lane
    Where is the toilet?
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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
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    Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

    PNCA :: Untitled Magazine

    Interesting approach to the question of homelessness.
    Cool. I think that's an awesome idea.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    It's easy to find faults with the idea, but at least she's trying. Problems can be overcome with a little effort and creativity ... if there's a will.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dave Patterson
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      It's easy to find faults with the idea, but at least she's trying. Problems can be overcome with a little effort and creativity ... if there's a will.
      Sleep, on the streets or under overpasses for a few months and I'm sure her shelter would feel like a castle...
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      • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
        Banned
        Exactly Dave. That's a massive improvement from "sleeping rough."
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      • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
        Originally Posted by Dave Patterson View Post

        Sleep, on the streets or under overpasses for a few months and I'm sure her shelter would feel like a castle...
        True, true. If the idea starting catching on I would guess local governments will pass all sorts of regulations regarding their appearance, where they can be parked, how many can be parked in one place, require license plates or some sort of registration, and so forth.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
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    Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post


    Interesting approach to the question of homelessness.
    Oi! Careful.

    Taking the mickey out of us 'homeless' copywriters.

    Me, I'm in this full time...



    In the back (11'x6'x6' high) I've got my bed with storage underneath it, a calor gas cooker/grill/hob, sink, gas heater, toilet, office desk at the back and overhead storage above my head in the cab.

    3 solar panels on top knocking out 240w enough to power my laptops all day long and keep the leisure batteries charged up. One 18" roof vent at the back and a banging sound system on board to keep me entertained.

    You don't need much to be happy.

    This thread for example says it all...

    http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...m-special.html
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    • Profile picture of the author Dave Patterson
      Originally Posted by Mark Andrews View Post

      Oi! Careful.

      Taking the mickey out of us 'homeless' copywriters.

      Me, I'm in this full time...



      In the back (11'x6'x6' high) I've got my bed with storage underneath it, a calor gas cooker/grill/hob, sink, gas heater, toilet, office desk at the back and overhead storage above my head in the cab.

      3 solar panels on top knocking out 240w enough to power my laptops all day long and keep the leisure batteries charged up. One 18" roof vent at the back and a banging sound system on board to keep me entertained.

      You don't need much to be happy.

      This thread for example says it all...

      http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...m-special.html
      I could live out of one of these no problem!

      But not with my wife...
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    • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
      Originally Posted by Mark Andrews View Post

      Oi! Careful.

      Taking the mickey out of us 'homeless' copywriters.

      Me, I'm in this full time...
      Ah, but you're not homeless, you're A Vagabond...A Wandering Minstrel...

      A monk student of life...like Kwai Chang Caine - seeking truth and enlightenment...

      Or, just a bum living in a van down by the river - take your pick. :rolleyes:
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        I've always liked the shopping-cart-as-shelter option because of the portability. Yes, you can leave these cool little structure in a parking spot - but many places you would have to feed a meter.

        I also think there would new restriction on the concept of "living in a parking spot" from local residents.

        Any truly useful shelter would need to be collapsible so it could be transported with the person throughout the day. From what I've read, the homeless have to guard their small possession at all times - they couldn't walk away and leave these shelters during the day. They would be a traffic hazard in the street and are too big to be pushed down the sidewalk.

        I think several of these are fascinating concepts - but not sure how workable they are for the homeless lifestyle.

        Mark - you're just a gypsy wandering romantically through the countryside...sounds better than bum in a van
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      • Profile picture of the author Formal Shorts
        With the right approach she could have herself a nice little cottage industreet...

        I'll get my coat
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Where I am at now, they have a bathroom between the kitchen and half of the offices. Above the sink is a warning.... "PLEASE don't clean food trays in this sink. The kitchen sinks have bigger drain lines that can handle food particles, and these do NOT.". I HOPE she considers such things in her waste bucket.

    ALSO, the first toilet was apparently in a castle, and it STUNK! ALSO, by the way, SINKS can stink. The SECRET? A bend in the pipe in the drain. It traps water which seals out most of the gas. I hope she considers THAT!

    And I HOPE they don't decide to park on the street or private property. They probably COULD develop a little trailer park unit so that they could fit 5-6 of these in a small trailer area, and share gas and water so that they each pay maybe 1/5th the normal cost. If they play there cards right they really COULD bootstrap up to a real trailer, get a job, and move to an apartment. It would help the economy, them, and hurt almost nobody. The government could give the trailerpark owners 20% offset in taxes, and give the owners 100% offset after their first real full time tax return, if they give the home to another, which would allow the REALLY poor a way to move up.

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
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      I used to work in London several years ago for a very highly respected group of social entrepreneurs tasked with finding solutions to problems such as homelessness and housing.

      In actual fact we were a think tank in our own right housing at our south bank premises some of the most well known and highly respected think tanks in the UK including DEMOS who were on the floor below us.

      These homes Paul highlighted, no offense but they're simply not practical.

      I mean the idea is there and good on the lass for trying to find a solution but these? They're hopelessly inadequate.

      If this proposal had come up at one of our meetings years ago, I would have probably have piped up that this was a piss take. What planet is she on?

      Please don't think I'm being rude here but too often you get these do-gooders who think they can come up with the design solution of the century to solve very serious problems like this.

      Unfortunately, all too often, these people never consult with the very people they think they're trying to help and in actual fact it's more about jumping on an issue to say to everyone else, 'hey look at me and the fantastic solution I've designed and built', without any real thought having gone into the particular needs of the people using their ideas on the ground.

      Yes it looks cool.

      Yes it's made from recycled materials.

      So what? I mean, just look at it. Practical application? It's about as useless as a bucket with a hole in the wrong end of it.

      Can you seriously see a homeless vulnerable wo/man perhaps suffering from mental health issues, possibly alcoholic problems or drug related problems sleeping in one of these at night? Safe? Yeah. Right on.

      I don't think so. In fact it's actually taking the mickey out of their situation. The idea is quite preposterous. A solution for homeless people's needs? Most definitely not. Someone most certainly hasn't thought this one through.

      It's okay sitting on this side of the fence in a big fancy home or university digs deliberating the best solutions for their needs. All well and good. But...

      ...unless you're prepared to get down on the street, talk with these people on their level about their precise problems (see the world around them through their unique perspective in various states of mind) and be prepared to roll your sleeves up to deliver a highly practical solution... well you get the picture.

      It's no good, as I once said to a psychologist, putting frilly pink toilet paper over the culprit, the cause of the problem. That doesn't solve a thing.
      You've got to be prepared to get your hands dirty, root the crap out at the source in order to solve the problem at hand. (Similar to many individuals who have a dependency on anti-depressant drugs but don't actually get the help they need to solve whatever it is which is causing the person the mental health problems in the first place).

      In all honesty, on the streets, how long would these things last?

      I'd give them less than 3 days before they all got trashed one way or another. It's just how it is.

      She needs to come up with something a little more practical and substantial than this and then only after thorough consultation with the very people they're designed for.


      Mark Andrews
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        Mark -

        I agree with much of what you say but I do think there is great potential.

        Many homeless are suffering from addictions or mental problems. We know that BUT there are loads of homeless people today who weren't homeless five years ago.

        A piece of property - fence and somewhat secure - with the units Paul linked to above - could provide a rudimentary home for people who have some small assets but not enough to get into an apartment rental.

        A dozen of these set up as a community on a piece of property could be a stepping stone from homelessness to residency for those made homeless by job loss and the economy.

        On a large scale or large property - you'd be at risk of creating a slum but on a small scale it could be considered transition housing. There are people working jobs who are homeless - for them this could work.
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        • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
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          Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

          Mark -

          I agree with much of what you say but I do think there is great potential.

          Many homeless are suffering from addictions or mental problems. We know that BUT there are loads of homeless people today who weren't homeless five years ago.

          A piece of property - fence and somewhat secure - with the units Paul linked to above - could provide a rudimentary home for people who have some small assets but not enough to get into an apartment rental.

          A dozen of these set up as a community on a piece of property could be a stepping stone from homelessness to residency for those made homeless by job loss and the economy.

          On a large scale or large property - you'd be at risk of creating a slum but on a small scale it could be considered transition housing. There are people working jobs who are homeless - for them this could work.
          I can't see it working myself Kay. For wendy houses for kids maybe but... as a solution to tackle such a serious problem like homelessness - no way. No way at all.

          A more secure solution would be to use shipping containers stacked on top of one another. Hell, there's plenty enough of these 'floating' around any port in the world.

          They're exceedingly strong and secure and with a little adaptation can be made into much more secure homes which will last far longer and fit in any minimal space.

          Do check out...


          Kindest regards,


          Mark Andrews
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        • Profile picture of the author ThomM
          Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

          Mark -

          I agree with much of what you say but I do think there is great potential.

          Many homeless are suffering from addictions or mental problems. We know that BUT there are loads of homeless people today who weren't homeless five years ago.

          A piece of property - fence and somewhat secure - with the units Paul linked to above - could provide a rudimentary home for people who have some small assets but not enough to get into an apartment rental.

          A dozen of these set up as a community on a piece of property could be a stepping stone from homelessness to residency for those made homeless by job loss and the economy.

          On a large scale or large property - you'd be at risk of creating a slum but on a small scale it could be considered transition housing. There are people working jobs who are homeless - for them this could work.
          Good points Kay.
          I know one of the biggest problems homeless people have in getting a job, is not having an address. The homeless now who have jobs usually use a shelter's address. Something like you suggested could solve that.
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  • Profile picture of the author LeeLee
    I love what she is trying to do but the more the city becomes involved the more bureaucratic red tape she is going to encounter. And not being a people person, she is going to need advocates who are.

    I was interested in how short term housing in my area could be provided by using old motels. Individual rooms offer privacy and these are full built out structures. As it stands right now, this is a profit project in motel owners are cleaning up on section 8 payments. What they are paying for a room could pay for a whole apartment.

    It is my contention that a full build out apartment was not necessary and the motel dwellers were proving this. Yet there was zero interest in the community about building new, similar structures to provide housing for the homeless.

    In my mind, the motel rooms would be far better than the streets but government regulations and certain pie in the sky dreamers won't hear of it. They would rather lobby for houses and projects. I think 60 years of projects have shown they do not foster the best environment.

    But I was shot down with comments like how would you like your kids to be playing in a parking lot. The motel should have a playground. And an efficiency kitchen is not adequate and so on and so on.

    The mystery is this is a good idea when section 8 pays ridiculous prices to motel owners, but it is not a good idea as a humanitarian effort.

    Another problem with her overall concept is I do not believe parking acres of these things in a fancy shanty town is going to be all that much better than the projects. Reminds me of hiding aliens away in District 9.

    I don't think parking on the street is the answer either, but cram too many people into one space and problems are inevitable.

    Still I give her credit for trying. I find it obscene that people live on the streets with little comfort or safety. As a society we should be ashamed.
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
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    Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

    PNCA :: Untitled Magazine

    Interesting approach to the question of homelessness.
    You could tie a big dog to the front of that thing & drive it around town like a miniature conestoga wagon.
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    • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      You could tie a big dog to the front of that thing & drive it around town like a miniature conestoga wagon.
      The Conestoga look was a nice touch...seeing as how it is the end of The Oregon Trail and all...
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  • Profile picture of the author J Bold
    This is freaking awesome.

    I used to live in Portland and have a lot of friends still living there now.

    One drawback I see is mischievous youths or mischievous drunks coming along while some homeless guy is sleeping and rolling him around!
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    • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
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      Precisely. It's just not a safe option.
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      • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
        Originally Posted by Mark Andrews View Post

        Precisely. It's just not a safe option.
        Neither is sleeping on a park bench, in a doorway, under a bridge or in a cardboard box. Something is certainly better than nothing.
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        • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
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          Good point Tina.
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        • Profile picture of the author Dave Patterson
          Originally Posted by Tina Golden View Post

          Neither is sleeping on a park bench, in a doorway, under a bridge or in a cardboard box. Something is certainly better than nothing.
          Agreed Tina! And I'd have to give two thumbs up to ANY city/town that set aside a secure area with possibly a cafeteria (or soup kitchen if you may) for the homeless as a temporary measure.

          Build it and I have no doubt the volunteers to operate such a facility will come!
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        • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
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          Originally Posted by Tina Golden View Post

          Neither is sleeping on a park bench, in a doorway, under a bridge or in a cardboard box. Something is certainly better than nothing.
          Have you read the entire thread or not Tina?
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          • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
            Originally Posted by Mark Andrews View Post

            Have you read the entire thread or not Tina?
            I most certainly did. I am not saying it is a perfect solution but it's a start and I give the girl credit for trying to help. That's something to build on.

            The governments of the world sit around trying to think of the one perfect solution and while they do, nothing gets done. I'd rather an imperfect solution than nothing at all.
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            • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
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              Well quoting me like that you made it appear I couldn't give a hoot about the issue when in fact I've been heavily involved with this issue on the frontline for many years Tina.

              It's a subject very close to my heart. And one I know a great deal about.

              Portland included because I used to live there even though now I'm back in the UK.

              I stated my thoughts above if you'd like to go back and read them again?


              Mark Andrews
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              • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
                Originally Posted by Mark Andrews View Post

                Well quoting me like that you made it appear I couldn't give a hoot about the issue when in fact I've been heavily involved with this issue on the frontline for many years Tina.

                It's a subject very close to my heart. And one I know a great deal about.

                Portland included because I used to live there even though now I'm back in the UK.

                I stated my thoughts above if you'd like to go back and read them again?


                Mark Andrews
                C'mon Mark, admit it...you just lived in Portland for the beer :p
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              • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
                Originally Posted by Mark Andrews View Post

                Well quoting me like that you made it appear I couldn't give a hoot about the issue when in fact I've been heavily involved with this issue on the frontline for many years Tina.

                It's a subject very close to my heart. And one I know a great deal about.

                Portland included because I used to live there even though now I'm back in the UK.

                I stated my thoughts above if you'd like to go back and read them again?


                Mark Andrews
                I wasn't intending to make you look uncaring, Mark. Not at all, as it is quite obvious you do care about this issue. I was just responding to that one quote with my own opinion. I'm sorry that you took it that way as that was far from my intention.
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  • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
    If you park your house on the street and get a parking ticket...is that like a foreclosure notice?

    Even worse, it would be a drag having to go to the tow yard to get your house...

    I'm just having a bit of fun, but this thread has some great civic examples of how to address a very difficult situation with some practical and compassionate solutions. Though I'm sure there is a group somewhere that will argue the homeless should be rounded up for internment camps or put into civic servitude for the 1%.

    There was a lot of flack recently about using the 'displaced' as Wi-fi hotspots - that it was demeaning.
    I did not see that at all. I saw it as a start to incorporate a bad situation into a practical one, while at the same time, calling attention to both.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    MARK,

    I agree with a lot of what you said, and stated some problems myself. Crazy or mentally incompetent people should NOT be in public anyway. This type of SHELTER, not really a home, but SHELTER, should be for only the most unfortunate sane homeless. The advice I gave had a few hidden nuggets in it...

    1. I think most of those places have public toilets/showers. If they don't, they certainly SHOULD. So shelter needs are reduced.
    2. A lot of those people are lower or lower/middle class, and MORE than willing to help with information, barter, and carpooling.
    3. They often have a snack area, and probably tables.
    4. They MIGHT even have a convenience store nearby.
    5. There is a MAILING ADDRESS!!
    6. They probably have phones!

    Anyway, whatever option CAN'T be too good. You want it CHEAP, which means it is limiting, and you want it to straddle a line! It has to be GOOD enough to clean up the area, get them off the street, and add simple shelter. It also has to be BAD enough that it is an incentive to get out of the situation.

    Steve
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