Everett-based Pallet offers a novel way to shelter homeless

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

EVERETT — General contractor Amy King realized in 2016 that something was missing from the housing market — something that would be far cheaper than a mobile home or apartment, yet would offer more dignity and personal space than a traditional homeless shelter.



Her employees, many of whom were once homeless, are filling that gap, she said.

They’re making low-cost personal shelters of aluminum and insulated panels in a factory near Paine Field.

Each personal, portable “pallet” shelter is meant to be part of a larger community, where someone who is living on the margins can get the support they need to work toward a more normal life, without having to worry about finding a safe place to sleep every night, said King, who’s now CEO of Pallet, the Everett manufacturer.

“It allows people to have space, even transitionally or temporarily, while they stabilize, get on their feet, figure out what’s next and then move on,” she said.

Since its founding in 2016, the company has churned out enough shelter units to house about 1,500 people. In Washington and nearly a dozen other states, Pallet has helped established shelter communities. They’re run by local social service agencies that provide resources to people residing in the temporary dwellings, each 100 square feet or less.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/everett-based-pallet-offers-a-novel-way-to-shelter-homeless/

[tblue37]

1. Inside:

[intrepidity]

2. Hmmm, without reading the article, at first I thought

they were installing those tiny units inside the warehouse itself! Which might be another kind of solution, too--since the units needn't be weatherproof.

One downside, of course, is the literal warehousing of people.

[OhNo-Really]

3. I read the article. This is a great step

My only question is about plumbing & sewage.

And a regret that there are homeless in America. 😢😢😢

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

4. Communal bathrooms and showers.

From the article.

The Everett City Council will soon consider establishing a similar village with $735,000 in federal grant money.

City officials have proposed a cluster of 20 or so pallet shelters, along with communal bathrooms and showers, overseen by an organization that would ensure the site stays safe and clean. Potential locations for the project have yet to be announced.

[angstlessk]

5. My thoughts too, but if they create a community,

they can have one cubicle for bathroom/showers shared by the community.

[brush]

8. I went to the link too looking for a photo of the palette in 3-d...

to get an idea of how it becomes an enclosure but it doesn't show how someone would deploy in and get inside.

Unless I missed something, that's not good coverage of the invention.

[Thunderbeast]

6. There are many vacant "big box" sites everywhere

I can imagine a county or non-profit getting a cheap lease on vacant K-Marts and Sears properties. These pods could be built inside or outside in parking lots with the interior facilities set up with temporary showers and kitchens. Portable toilets and wash stations can supplement the indoor facilities.

There would, of course, be NIMBY resistance, but this is an emergency that must be addressed. The cost of homeless campers on sidewalks and in parks is much higher than taking a humane and safe approach.

[OhNo-Really]

9. And closed one level factories sitting empty

I have an idea for this but the nimby factor is a hurdle in my red state

Small nests made from these units above Like 4-8 with plumbing

And the abandoned big boxes & semi-conductor factories converted into day use centers. To include:

A day care
A computer lab with instructors
Classrooms for GED
Used clothing shops
Toy store
Dentist
Clinic
Salons for men & women
Outdoors playgrounds

And a transportation system to get people to and from living pods and to jobs when they find one

A process of love, kindness,’& education to help launch people into society.

Of course there’s more planning & certainly $$ needed.

Just a kernel of an interconnected idea using empty spaces

[Thunderbeast]

10. We have the means

We have always lacked the will.

[OhNo-Really]

11. Sigh.