With the world population rising at an unpredictable rate and the number of homeless people increasing day by day, there is a need to come up with innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions that will ensure that even with scarce resources, good and livable homes are available for those who are considered one of the most vulnerable in our modern society.
As such, we must come up with homeless shelters that guarantee safety, dignity, and comfort while being portable, affordable, and easy to maintain. If this is genuinely the intention, below are some of the best types of buildings to use for a homeless shelter.
Types of Affordable Homeless Shelter Building That is Portable and Sustainable
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Shipping Container Homes
There are numerous reasons why this is a good option to consider. They are durable, portable, and relatively inexpensive to acquire and repurpose.
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Portability
Shipping containers were originally built for transportation, which means that they can be easily moved from one place to another.
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Affordability
The cost of purchasing used shipping containers isn’t that exorbitant, often costing around $1,500 and $5,000 per unit. Keep in mind that this makes them one of the most affordable choices to consider particularly for large-scale projects.
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Ease of Maintenance
It is common knowledge that shipping containers are extremely durable, and will most often necessitate minimal maintenance. Carrying out regular cleaning and occasional rust treatment will ensure they remain in good shape for years.
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Customization
Another good thing about shipping containers is that they can be easily customized into insulated, livable spaces that feature electricity, plumbing, and heating systems. It can also be stacked, giving opportunities for multi-story shelters, especially in locations where space is limited.
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Modular Buildings
This refers to pre-fabricated structures built off-site and put together at the shelter location. These structures can be customized when it comes to size, layout, and amenities depending on the needs and features of the homeless shelter.
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Portability
These units can be moved from one location to another easily, as such they have proven to be perfect for emergency or temporary shelters.
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Affordability
Since they can be mass-produced, these types of buildings can prove to be less expensive especially when put in comparison to traditional constructions. In addition, their prefabrication process reduces labor and material costs.
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Ease of Maintenance
You would also appreciate the fact that these buildings are constructed with durable materials that only need little to minimal upkeep. Also, note that a good number of modular buildings are made with steel or composite materials that resist wear and tear.
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Scalability
Also keep in mind that these buildings can be expanded or downsized as required by just inculcating or doing away with units, giving room for flexibility depending on shelter capacity requirements.
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Tiny Homes
These homes are known to be compact, efficient living spaces that can work as shelters for individuals or small families. Note that these homes are becoming more and more popular as a transitional housing solution, especially for the homeless.
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Portability
A good number of tiny homes are built on trailers, and this makes them easy to move and relocate. Aside from that, they can also be installed on small plots of land where permanent structures are not possible.
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Affordability
According to reports, these homes tend to cost around $10,000 and $50,000, and this makes them a cheaper alternative especially when compared to conventional housing. Also note that they tend to require fewer materials and labor, making them a viable option to build.
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Ease of Maintenance
Another good thing about these homes is that they are easy to maintain owing to their small size. Note that basic maintenance includes cleaning, guaranteeing proper insulation, and servicing any installed utilities such as solar panels or composting toilets.
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Sustainability
Also keep in mind that these homes can be designed to be eco-friendly especially when you infuse features such as solar panels, rainwater collection systems, as well as composting toilets.
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Converted Office or Commercial Spaces
You might also want to consider abandoned or underutilized office buildings, malls, and warehouses. With the right resources and arrangements, they can be converted into shelters.
One good reason why this is a good idea is that these buildings tend to offer large open spaces that can be repurposed into dormitories or designed to become individual sleeping areas.
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Portability
Although these structures might not be that portable, you will appreciate the fact that they are being repurposed and will prove to be lucrative, especially in urban areas with high rates of homelessness.
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Affordability
Truth be told, the cost of repurposing these buildings might not be cheap but still won’t be as exorbitant as developing new structures, especially when local governments or private owners donate or lease these buildings at low costs. This is because the shell of the building is already in place, so you won’t invest extensively in materials and labor.
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Ease of Maintenance
While this will most often depend on the condition of the building, the exact amount you invest when it comes to maintenance will vary.
Nevertheless, a good number of commercial structures are built to deal with heavy use and might not necessitate anything above basic upkeep.
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Availability
You will also find that a good number of cities have vacant commercial buildings that can be immediately converted to become shelters, ensuring you meet the immediate need for housing.
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Yurts
These are circular tents that have long been used by nomadic peoples in Central Asia, but in recent times have been modified as temporary housing solutions in most places around the globe.
- Portability
One good thing about yurts is that they are highly portable, with a simple structure that can be disassembled and transported to varying locations. They are suitable for temporary shelters in locations where permanent buildings might not be possible.
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Affordability
This building is also cheap and will most often cost around $5,000 and $15,000 depending on size and materials. One good reason they have become popular in recent times is because they provide a low-cost solution for emergency or temporary housing needs.
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Ease of Maintenance
They are made with materials like canvas, wood, or steel, and this makes them easy to maintain. You will just require basic cleaning, patching of the fabric, and making sure that the joints are properly sealed.
- Sustainability: They are renowned for being eco-friendly, needing minimal materials and energy to construct.
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Portable Cabin Units
These are prefabricated structures that are renowned for being quick to assemble and disassemble. They are most often used in construction or military settings but can be adapted to become solid homeless shelters.
- Portability
Even from the name alone, it is easy to note how convenient they are to move or relocate. Also, note that their compact size makes them perfect to be utilized in locations with little or no space.
- Affordability
Portable cabins are also cheaper as they cost around $5,000 and $20,000. You will find that prefabrication works to reduce labor and material costs.
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Ease of Maintenance
Another thing to note is that they are made of durable materials such as steel and plywood, and will need little maintenance. It requires basic cleaning and occasional inspections for structural integrity.
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Versatility
These cabins can be designed to feature basic utilities such as water and electricity, and this works to make them sufficient for temporary housing.
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Tent Structures
Although not suitable for long-term housing, it is pertinent to point out that they provide emergency relief, especially during crises.
- Portability: They are lightweight and can be easily transported and put up in any location.
- Affordability: They are very affordable, costing as low as $100 for basic models or more depending on size and material.
- Ease of Maintenance: Tents will also need little to no maintenance aside from regular cleaning and checking for tears or leaks. They can be easily replaced or repaired if damaged.
- Temporary Use: Although tents are not a permanent solution, they have proven to be useful when seeking a quick way to make available shelter in disaster or crisis situations.