COLLINS: Why not use container housing?
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SUPPORTIVE HOUSING HAS BECOME a major priority for alleviating homelessness and assisting marginalized groups. We struggle to acquire land and build homes quickly enough to meet the demand. Why would we want to invest heavily in houses in areas that may not suit community needs by 2035?
Why not consider portable housing that can be used temporarily but moved instantly to a more suitable location? Many of the sites where supportive homes are being constructed are in less desirable locations. Instead of permanent residences, we could build container structures, which are practical and highly livable. These units can be assembled in various configurations depending on needs.
For example, if a community experiences a major fire, we could bring in several units for short-term housing. I’ve also heard of remote locations where these units have been adapted into hospitals. With this kind of flexibility, we can do much more than with many outdated technologies.
We have a chance to assess new technologies and hopefully find answers that will serve us well in the future. A friend of mine has been working on this type of housing for years. In the right configuration, these units can be made into grocery stores, hotel-type buildings, offices, etc. They might well be more climate-friendly than traditional structures.
