Comments on: Tiny House Homeless Shelters to Weather The Economic Hurricane

By: Scott Sorensen

Scott Sorensen — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:02:48 +0000

True, the police will move you along. I’ve lived in a tent for 5 years now, and for the first 3 I just carried everything. Now I’m camped on a friend’s property and I don’t have to worry about the cops. I’ve given it a lot of thought, and it seems that a white van could be outfitted with an RV shower, and one could move this van around without attracting too much attention. It IS a sad situation when they make you an outlaw because someone else took your house and tossed you to the sidewalk. But that’s what the Occupy movement is all about, right? We’re tired of the B.S.

By: cb

cb — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 02:32:43 +0000

A nice space-saver is like what is found in rv’s; the table drops down and rests on the edge of the 2 seats to make the bed, spreading the cushions out over them. The bed doesn’t have to be high, or raised/lowered; storage space could be made under the 2 chairs/bed ends, and the space above table used as shelf or cabinet space. A plain electric hotplate and a coffee maker are both cheap, cold meals/coffee shouldn’t be necessary, even if it’s just an extension cord run through a wall to a power strip.

By: di

di — Sat, 28 May 2011 21:51:35 +0000

Omit the table and chair – just lower the bed and sit on it.
Eat with a plate in your lap.
Try a roll-up, cushioned mat and sleeping bag.

Cardboard boxes and plastic bags are free at most stores.
Store wardrobe and dry goods in pull-out cardboard boxes under the bed.
Some plastic bags are large enough to use as a backpack.
Store belongings in plastic bags on nails.
Hang clothes or a coat on a nail.

With dietary changes, a kitchen may not be needed.
Use a portable, collapsible cooler for daily perishables.
Use a portable, collapsible water jug and drink only water.

Look for ready-to-eat grocery items.
Use water with dry cereal, try cold instant coffee, etc.
Make a cold sandwich for lunch.
Eat a hot meal at a restaurant every now and then.
Breakfast is a cheap, nutritious meal and sometimes served throughout the day.

Each unit could have a set of instructions – in how to live without a kitchen, where to find free food or a cheap meal, where to safely dumpster dive, etc. – as well as an online site that could be accessed at a library.

These would be great in National Parks across the country. Most campgrounds provide bathroom facilities. Are there any parks that offer year-round camping? Could this be a National Park Project?

By: CHAR

CHAR — Thu, 26 May 2011 00:42:25 +0000

can someone please post instructions on how to build this $1500 home. thanks!

By: Norabora

Norabora — Mon, 09 May 2011 16:19:54 +0000

I think what you proposed is interesting. The only caveat I see is that some (or most, before the downturn in the economy) of the homeless are people with mental/physical (mostly mental) issues.
So along with what you would require of the users of the apartments there would be a great need for social workers that could help those that need it. Getting SSI/SSDI is no easy task and this is a group of people most in need of it. Helping them get an income as well as a place to live would go a long way to their healing.
Another issue re. water/waste/utilities is a possibably having a bath house and a gathering place for residents for communal activities such as meals cooked by residents, meetings about rules and responsibilities, entertainment.
Just some ideas…

By: Don J

Don J — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 20:33:22 +0000

Here is a tiny house design, just under 100 square feet. Based on a traditional design with a modern touch, this cost $700 retail. It withstood sub-zero temps, record sustained winds (over 60 mph) and a foot of snow on the roof during the 2011 blizzard.

http://bit.ly/dIBRV7

By: Bernie Null

Bernie Null — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 03:19:02 +0000

Dear Robert Pruitt, I love your post. Now what more can we do? While I do not agree 100% with your post I feel that you are on the right track. I too am a single Dad and put my faith into the wrong people and almost ended up homeless myself 4 weeks ago.

I do not totally agree with using parks as a location but I am thinking there must be an area in most communities where something like what you describe can be done.

I think that churches and local governments could do a lot to make a community for people and if we could get the Feds to realize the shortcomings of their system (food stamps, child support, etc…) we could really do some good.

The current system is awful. I had medical and as soon as I went to work I lost it!

My daughter still had it but I am S.O.L.!

So we find space and build a little community that allows people to “work off” their home and help them get back on their feet, and then guide them to a better life.

I would lover to talk to you further about your idea.

Please email me: bernienull AT Gmail DOT com

Thanks

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 06:40:48 +0000

I do not like this comment because I live in a similar homeless situation. I’m not working to live in a “box.” I’m working to rebuild my life. There is more, much more, to working out this problem than where I get to “live.” I get to think, I get to choose, I get to save my money. I am SURE you have never been homeless, much less a slave. If you ever were, you learned nothing. There are many, many who go through this “system” and think exactly as you do. And you know what? They, and you, are right. Work for a bigger house. Still a slave. Lightbulb!

By: Robert Hennecke

Robert Hennecke — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 20:04:07 +0000

I’ve been thinking about a micro housing idea based on something that can be towed by a bicycle. Homeless people are very mobile and have very little in the way of belongings.

By: Robert Hennecke

Robert Hennecke — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 20:02:15 +0000

Below is the idea I had proposed for housing the displaced Haitians. Essentially the same idea as Mr. pruit.

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/foreign_affairs/Diaspora_wants_a_say_in_Haiti_s_future.html?cid=8091102