The tiniest of efforts could soon be making a huge difference for those experiencing homelessness in at least one B.C. community.
Last week, poverty advocates in Campbell River unveiled the first prototype of a new portable, wooden tiny home pod. As designed by Shawn Decaire of the warming centre Kwesa Place, the pods can be transported like a wheelbarrow during the day, giving people a lockable space to store their belongings. Then, at night, people using the pods can extend a section out, providing just enough room to lay down and sleep.
91裸聊视频淭his is the first one, we91裸聊视频檒l be making a second prototype,91裸聊视频� said Sharon Karsten, executive director of the co-sponsoring drug crisis response group Walk With Me, who was seeing the pod for the first time.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檇 like to get 30 going by the fall if we can. We91裸聊视频檇 like to have a production house in some way where people are making and assembling them. They91裸聊视频檒l be able to paint them, make them their own and make them beautiful.91裸聊视频�
The idea for the pods came from discussions with the unhoused community, who told Walk With Me and Kwesa Place representatives that 91裸聊视频渢here91裸聊视频檚 a long list of things that have been thrown at people at night as they were sleeping,91裸聊视频� Karsten said.
91裸聊视频淔rom bottles, to eggs, to whatever; it was an endless list,91裸聊视频� she said.
The Campbell River and District Coalition to End Homelessness is supporting the project. In an email, the Coalition said 91裸聊视频渢he potential of this concept to provide both a space to keep people up off the ground as well as to replace the use of some carts is really exciting.
91裸聊视频淐ombining that with local Indigenous hand-painted art makes for a creative solution to multiple concerns91裸聊视频e look forward to seeing how this project unfolds over the coming months and hope that we can bring the community together to discuss how to make this successful for Campbell River.91裸聊视频�
The hard shell of the wooden pod will offer some protection for those inside. There is also fire resistant insulation in the design as well as windows that can be opened and closed from the inside. The pods are also lockable from both the inside and outside, which will offer protection to those inside overnight, and protection for their belongings during the day.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 not intended to be the solution in any way,91裸聊视频� Karsten said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a part of a part of a part of housing. We91裸聊视频檇 like to have this as an emergency middle ground between sleeping in tents 91裸聊视频� if people want it.91裸聊视频�
Decaire painted the design on the first prototype, which he called the 91裸聊视频淎ngel Pod91裸聊视频� in homage to two community members who passed away earlier this year. The design incorporates the sea trout motif, which Decaire said was 91裸聊视频渙ne of those creatures that91裸聊视频檚 always evolved through evolution. In the seas, all of the animals lived on it, so it91裸聊视频檚 part of every animal. It91裸聊视频檚 part of the birds, part of the whales, the bears.91裸聊视频�
The idea is to have the 30 units built by the fall.
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marc.kitteringham@campbellrivermirror.com
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