Low Income Housing Solution

I saw an article on CNN.com today about a company that is converting old shipping containers into homes for low income families in Mexico. I thought this was such a neat idea! I went on a mission trip about 10 years ago to Mexico and was shocked to see the living conditions of so many people. Houses were made out of wooden fork lift pallets or scraps of metal and cardboard boxes. It was so sad to think that this was a way of life for these people.

320 sf, sleeps anywhere from 2-6 people, includes the stove, refrigerator and HVAC

Cost: $8,000

The shipping containers are designed to stack. The company envisions a cluster arrangement with apartment style balconies and staircases in the corners. Clusters could be arranged into squares a safe plaza in the middle area where the company hopes to build a soccer field or playground.
When drawings and color pictures of the prototype were shown around poor Juarez neighborhood people said, "You know it would be like a dream to live in one of these." Just the thought of having nice fresh air ventilating through the house, a large bed, a normal kitchen and a safe home that locks and closes every night seemed more than appealing.

They designed a galley style kitchen with a stove, sink, refrigerator and dinette, a 48 square foot bathroom with a pedestal sink, shower and commode. Adjacent to the kitchen is a bunk area for children; separate sleeping quarters for the owners lie behind the bathroom wall.