The education system is a disaster, congress wrings every possible penny of margin out of business, and minimum wage forces so many people out of the work force...the number of homeless and humble are on the rise. In a big way.
I don't want to 'warehouse' the poor; I want to make them no longer poor! To do that, we've got to sketch-in a couple more rungs on the bottom of the economic ladder than everyone can reach.
I will offer no-questions-asked minimal housing for people for 48 hours at a time. For battered wives, for sleepy drivers, whatever- a crash pad.
I also want to offer better places for people who will do community-service-type work. And even offer a way to save money for a house of your own, a new degree or other achievements.
We can do this. The technology is here and tested.
 | This is the technology that makes it happen. Every client gets an iButton "key" like this one that can't be duplicated. It operates the door to his dwelling, and if he runs out of time, it also opens a locker containing his stuff. It also proves he did what it takes to earn his time. An employer reads his button after he's done his bit for the day. So long as he puts in as little as 20 hours a week, he has a place to live. It's easy! Forty hours and a history of sticking with it will get him a larger place to stay. And after a year of proven performance he gets an even bigger place and minimum wage! Most importantly: if he fails the program, he can try again at any time. |
 | This two-room unit fits in just a 20' or 'half' container. Kitchen and laundry units nearby would provide the other necessities. I see a cluster with 10 of these and a laundry unit enclosed under a stretched fabric roof, on a bus stop. People having their own keys, going about their day, finding we've added a couple more rungs on the bottom of life's ladder. |
 | Here's an entire apartment building or motel made from container units. 48 units are available in this rugged, compact structure! Imagine homes for the homeless at $3,000 per unit. Try doing that with sticks and bricks. |
 | This is an example of a 40-foot home complete with living room, two bed rooms and bathroom. These are being made in China every day. Why not make them here and provide jobs? |