In September, MWRO discussed the idea of a new company using shipping containers as low-income housing for poor people. They estimate these refabricated homes to cost about $10,000 each.
Now there's a local development group that presented to the Detroit City Council this week their idea of using these same shipping containers to build condominiums. But get this--they'd cost $100,000-$260,000 each! The units range from 853 sq ft 1 bedroom condos to 1920 sq ft 3 bed, 2 1/2 bath condos. The Detroit Free Press reports that the idea comes from The Power of Green Housing in Detroit, a new Detroit-based company aiming "to become the leader of affordable green and sustainable housing and reduce energy costs by 60% to each consumer."
We applaud this mission but these prices are in no way affordable to the majority of Detroiters! In August 2008, the Census Bureau reported that Detroit had the nation's lowest median household income at $28,097. Moreover, 1 in 3 Detroiters live in poverty. If public and private groups truly want to revitalize Detroit, they must come up with proposals that will build low-income affordable housing, along with outlines for rehabilitating and sustaining current low-income homes and apartments.
Check out the design model of these shipping container condos:
Showing posts with label Shipping containers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shipping containers. Show all posts
Friday, October 10, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Shipping Containers as Low-Income Housing
The shipping containers we're used to seeing on the back of trucks and trains may be the latest solution to housing for the poor. A New Mexico company is testing the first models of container housing--converted steel import/export containers equipped with electricity and plumbing, and subdivided rooms.
PFNC (for Por Fin, Nuestra Casa or "Finally, a Home of Our Own") began building these in response to the wretched housing conditions of Mexican workers near the border. Currently, each one sells for under $10,000 (with costs anticipated to be covered by employees and employers), sleeps 2-6 people; and includes a refrigerator, stove, and HVAC.
With major cities all across the U.S. stockpiling surplus shipping containers, this could be a viable housing option for homeless and poor people. See this walk through of the home:
PFNC (for Por Fin, Nuestra Casa or "Finally, a Home of Our Own") began building these in response to the wretched housing conditions of Mexican workers near the border. Currently, each one sells for under $10,000 (with costs anticipated to be covered by employees and employers), sleeps 2-6 people; and includes a refrigerator, stove, and HVAC.
With major cities all across the U.S. stockpiling surplus shipping containers, this could be a viable housing option for homeless and poor people. See this walk through of the home:
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