Occupying Abandonment: With The Abandoned An Alternative Approach to the Unsheltered Lifestyle
Whitney Locker Master of Architecture Thesis Ball State University Spring 2015
Advisors Major Advisor: Dr. Wes Janz Professor of Architecture Ball State University
Minor Advisor: Olon Dotson Associate Professor of Architecture Ball State University
Table of Contents 4
Abstract
42-43
The Garage
5
Final Project Proposal
44-45
The Porch
6-11
Literature Review
46-47
The Building Niche
12-15
Methodologies
48-49
The Vacant House
16-27
Precedent Studies
50-51
The Rooftop Covering
28-39
City of Dayton Analysis
52-53
The Bus Stop/Park Bench Shelter
40-41
The Outdoor Bed 54-55
The Public Restroom
Abstract Many people hear the word homeless and think of someone living on the street, but why do we use this word to describe individuals that chose an alternative lifestyle? In reality these individuals are abandoned by society and looked down upon as helpless individuals who resist the help of government programs. The question I ask is, why does the greater society see the abandoned individuals’ way of life as wrong and illegal? How can future architects and other members of society help the abandoned adapt to the environment they are most comfortable in and make it more acceptable to the public at large? To help me answer these questions I sought the input of individuals who have designed for the abandoned, as well as observing the abandoned individuals way of life, and I was able to speak with an abandoned individual to better understand his needs. Reading books and articles has educated me on what abandoned individuals across the United States have done to adapt to their environments. This research also helped me to better understand why existing government programs are not always utilized by abandoned individuals. Upon this research I have found that many abandoned individuals do not feel personal freedom when utilizing government programs, thus these individuals would rather seek refuge among the numerous abandon buildings that plague our cities. I created furniture pieces that churches, government programs, and abandoned individuals can build to better adapt to living in abandoned structures or in another environment of their choice. I have placed an emphasis on Dayton, Ohio because it is where I am from and it is most familiar to me. However, the furniture pieces I have created can be utilized in any city. 4
Keywords: Homeless, Abandoned Individuals, Alternative Lifestyle
Final Project Proposal There is an abundance of abandoned buildings in our cities that abandoned individuals occupy and make their own spaces if it was not deemed illegal and frowned upon to do. Instead of these structures being torn down, how about trying to breathe new life into them and give abandoned individuals a place in which they can call their own? Instead of jailing abandoned individuals for not sleeping in a bed inside of a house or shelter, how about just letting abandoned individuals live and sleep where ever they choose? It is these questions that has led to create “Occupying Abandonment: With the Abandoned” about developing a kit of furniture pieces in which abandoned individuals can utilize when occupying abandoned buildings. Each piece has been designed with the specific needs of an abandoned individual in mind. Through talking with abandoned individuals and hearing stories of other abandoned individuals I have been able to identify what each person needs in order to better their living arrangements. Some individuals are already utilizing abandoned garages, homes, and porches but they are lacking the comforts that others take for granted. The most important comfort that is taken for granted is having a comfortable place to sleep. Beginning with a comfortable place to sleep I created a bed that would be placed outdoors near churches and existing homeless shelters. This bed would be completely made of wood and would include three screens to block the wind and rain, a platform for laying on that includes off the ground storage underneath, and a top covering to protect against rain and snow. If an
abandoned individual is living in a garage or in an abandoned house or on a covered porch of an abandoned house, the screens and top covering can be left off the outdoor bed to create a simple platform for sleeping. Using the dimensions and style of the outdoor bed additional elements have been created. A cabinet for safe storage, a bench, wind screens, a rooftop awning, a park bench covering, and a public restroom are the additional elements that I have created to help make the abandoned individuals’ lifestyle more comfortable and more acceptable. Individuals that have been abandoned by society are often plagued by substance abuse which are not tolerated in traditional homeless shelters. Substance abuse is not something that will ever be ridded of and it plagues many people of different social economic classes. It is for this reason that abandoned individuals prefer to live the abandoned lifestyle. As a society we seem to turn the blind eye to substance abuse users as long as they are doing it in privacy. The pieces that I have created will provide a private place for the abandoned individual to do as they please. This could be seen as promoting abuse, however, in reality it is not really promoting it because it is going to happen regardless. More importantly these pieces provide abandoned individuals with the personal space and freedom of privacy that we all enjoy.
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Literature Review Homelessness People have been living on the streets for various reasons for decades. Some suffer from mental disabilities that keep them out of the work force, some have substance abuse problems, others have lost their jobs and can no longer afford a place to live, and others have jobs but cannot afford housing. These people are seen on the streets sometimes panhandling and sometimes just relaxing on a park bench. Anyone young or old, man or woman can be homeless, including children. However, the chronically unsheltered population is significantly older, with a larger proportion of veterans (Aaron J. Levitt, Dennis P. Culhane, Joe DeGenova, Patrick O. Quinn, & Jay Bainbridge, 2009). Veterans returning from service often have problems settling back into their normal lives and thus end up living on the streets because of lack of support. Homeless people realize they need food to eat, clothing, and shelter. For this reason homeless people panhandle or collect goods to sell to others. Collecting cans to sell to recycling centers is very popular among the homeless and doing so has the inadvertent effect of helping the environment because recyclable items do not up in landfills. In Greenwich Village in New York City, there is homeless people selling books on the street for money (Duneier, 2010). Many people just walk by without even acknowledging these people and some wonder why they don’t go to the homeless shelter where they are provided with food and a place to sleep. There needs to be an understanding among the non-homeless that it isn’t always easy going to a homeless shelter. Governments also fail to understand homelessness at times, but they have agreed upon a definition of 6
homelessness. The definitions range from people living in emergency or transitional shelters or on the street to those living with others because of economic hardship or living in motels or campgrounds because they lack other adequate alternative accommodations (Cackley, 2011). Governments want to provide every homeless person with a bed in a building, but they fail to understand why some don't choose a bed in a building to sleep in. Atlanta's efforts in addressing homelessness align with a federal strategy, called "Opening Doors," to end veteran and chronic homelessness by 2015 (Henry-White, 2013). The question must be asked as to whether this is really feasible or not. Will everyone comply with moving into some sort of permanent house the way many people define it?
Traditional Shelters Homeless shelters are available to those without a place to stay, but they often have rules to follow that can be difficult for some to comply with. One of the main inhibiting rules for many is that many shelters only allow people to stay inside at night. Each morning everyone has to leave the shelter and then be back at the shelter at a specific time to line up for a spot for an open bed. For people with jobs this can be difficult because they may not be off work in time to stand in the line. Similarly, if someone is working third shift they are not allowed to leave the shelter in the middle of the night to go to work. For a family to stay in a shelter they may have to split up and go to different shelters. In Sarasota, Florida the Salvation Army has five family dorms, however, there are rules that must be followed. For example, the Salvation Army prefers to keep out boys older than 11 (Barton, 2000). For a family
with teenage boys this is often a difficult decision to make. For the chronically homeless, going to a shelter may be extremely uncomfortable. Many people are afraid to go to homeless shelters because of stories they have heard from others who have been to one. For example, people hear that shelters are dangerous places that they’re full of drugs and drug dealers, that people will steal your shoes, and there’s bedbugs and body lice (Pirtle, Greene, & Sibert, 2012). Shelters are especially difficult for those who have spent many years living on the streets. In the movie Sidewalk, a man named Mudrick said, “he was scared of a bed because he had not slept in one for 20 years” (Duneier, 2010). Not much thought is put into discovering reasons why people like Mudrick have issues with sleeping in a bed. Sleeping in a bed is sometimes not the only issue the homeless face when they are forced to move from the streets to a home or apartment. Enjoying the comfort of one’s new apartment, but feeling lonely and uncomfortable sleeping indoors (Jost, Levitt, & Porcu, 2010) is a problem for some. Occasionally homeless people reside in camps with many others that they come to know well. When they are moved into apartments they are often separated from others they met in the camp which results in the feeling of loneliness. Friendships are often not forged when a homeless person resides in a homeless shelter because the same people may not be there from day to day. Traditional shelters have strict substance abuse policies which is problematic for the chronically homeless. People who abuse drugs and alcohol are not treated as equals in our society. There is automatically a negative perception of substance abusers, but we do not
stop and think about why people turn to a life of abuse. Many times illicit substance misuse is a means of self-medicating and dealing with traumas, social isolation and low-self efficacy (Parsell & Parsell, Homelessness as a Choice, 2012). People are sometimes reluctant to give a homeless person panhandling money because they think they will just go buy drugs with it. This may sometimes be the case, however, it is difficult to pick out who is abusing substances and who is not. This question of how a homeless person will spend the money they are given should not be the determining factor as to whether someone gives them money or not. Programs put all the focus on ending homelessness and the focus is not put on discovering why the person is homeless. Counseling with a focus on the homeless person rather than the problem of homelessness is helpful (Sumerlin, 1996). Placing emphasis on the person instead of the situation is perhaps what some people need more than they need a traditional place to sleep. For those who abuse substances not all of them are wanting help with their addictions. It is for this reason that the people who do not want help with their addictions are kept out of traditional homeless shelters all together. This reluctance to seek help with substance abuse problems keeps them out of homeless shelters as well as government funded housing. “Treatment First” programs, which gradually assist homeless individuals in finding housing by first addressing other problems such as poor health and addiction (Parsell, Tomaszewski, & Phillips, Exiting Unsheltered Homelessness and Sustaining Housing: A Human Agency Perspective, 2014), are a disservice to those who do not want help. A better 7
solution is to just let those that do not want help to live freely and legally the way they choose. Choosing not to reside in a shelter or seek help with addictions presents problems, however, the homeless seem to be able to handle those problems on their own. While having food and money is important to sustain life there are ways of obtaining these things without having to sacrifice the comforts of life. What is more important to a homeless person is “having autonomy and control and avoid places that take these things away” (Wakin, 2014). Can we overlook addictions and the legality of the “proper” way to live so that homeless people can live comfortably and happily like everyone else?
A New Type of Shelter For those who can’t bring themselves to sleep in a bed, or those that don’t want to be separated from their families, or those that are faced with either jail or a supervised place to sleep there is a new type of shelter that can be an alternative for them. While there are not many alternatives to the traditional shelter, in 1991 the first outdoor shelter was opened in Orlando, Florida. This has led to other outdoor shelters to open across the country. One of these new outdoor shelters is the Camillus House pavilion that welcomes homeless guests to sleep on 100 padded mats beneath a large pavilion with roll-down plastic screens to block out rain and outlets for heaters on cold nights (Smiley, 2014). In colder climates outdoor pavilions have been provided for summer time use, however, a church in Ann Arbor, Michigan provided a year round pavilion that the homeless could use. These outdoor pavilions also tend to be highly designed pieces, so 8
that they are attractive and fit into the community instead of sticking out. Most of the shelters have supervision over those using the shelter, so that the occupants feel safe during their stay. For an outdoor homeless shelter to be successful there must be supervision over the people using the space. However, supervision doesn’t have to extend to the point of strict rules that will make people not want to be there. Because of no oversight, the outdoor pavilion in Ann Arbor, Michigan was forced to close and the structure was moved to prevent further use. Camillus House pavilion is on the property of the Camillus House indoor shelter, so there is always staff present to help those who come to stay the night at the pavilion. These outdoor pavilions also allow for people to drop in at any time during the day to claim an available cot or mat. People are also welcome to stay at the outdoor pavilions during the daytime. Because of this outdoor pavilions are better suited to those who have jobs with difficult work schedules that keep them from checking into a traditional shelter at a specific time. So, the question must be asked, can all communities implement some sort of outdoor shelter that better works homeless people’s needs?
Utilizing what is Already There In creating a new type of shelter that unsheltered people would be more likely to use there needs to be an evaluation of what buildings we already have and how they can be implemented. The homeless population often seek shelter in places that are not meant for habitation, so they can enjoy personal freedom. Places not meant for habitation include the streets, cars, parks, abandoned buildings, camps, and the like (Amy M. Donley & James
D. Wright, 2012). If homeless people are already utilizing these spaces as places to live, then why not work to make them more habitable? Perhaps the biggest issue about making the uninhabitable places habitable has to do with the fact that inclement weather can kill people. However, homeless people have always found ways to keep warm and with help there can be safer ways of protecting homeless people from the elements. As a society we have deemed living in an abandoned building illegal and completely inappropriate. Being “housed” is tied to having a certain standard of housing and some degree of control over or stability in that housing (Zawisza, 1996). Why does, being “housed” have to be to a certain standard; is being adequate for the person living there not enough? Urban areas have many abandoned buildings that could be legally inhabited by homeless people who would see the space as their own to call home and it would give them the privacy we all love. However, there is a belief that the homeless lower property values and harm neighborhoods (Howard, 2013). In reality abandoned buildings are already bringing down property values and homeless usually cause no harm to neighborhoods. Homeless people know they could be arrested simply for being homeless, knowing this homeless people usually do not bring trouble to themselves or others. When homeless people find a place of their own that they feel comfortable staying in, whether that be a garage or an abandoned building, there is usually a sense of pride in having their own space. Some call their spaces houses (Singer, 2000), even though the general population would not call those spaces houses. Why is there a belief that homeless people should live in shelters? Why is it that the non-unsheltered
are free to choose what house or apartment to live in, but when it comes to the homeless we think they should all go to shelters or some sort of government funded housing? Home means the freedom to do what you want, like having friends over and cook food (Desjarlais, 1997), but it seems that this definition is only afforded to those that live in the traditional sense of a home.
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Works Cited Aaron J. Levitt, M., Dennis P. Culhane, P., Joe DeGenova, M., Patrick O. Quinn, M., & Jay Bainbridge, P. (2009, July). Health and Social Characteristics of Homeless Adults in Manhattan Who Were Chronically or Not Chronically Unsheltered. Psychiatric Services, 978-981. Amy M. Donley, P., & James D. Wright, P. (2012). Safer Outside: A Qualitative Exploration of Homeless People’s Resistance to Homeless Shelters. Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, 288-306. Barton, J. (2000, November 26). Unsheltered Lives; Future Imperfect; for the homeless, short-term handouts fail to provide a way out. Sarasota Herald-Tribune, pp. A1-A6. Cackley, A. P. (2011). Homelessness: To Improve Data and Programs, Agencies have taken Steps to Develop a Common Vocabulary. Washington D.C.: United States Government Accountability Office. Desjarlais, R. (1997). Shelter Blues Sanity and Selfhood Among the Homeless. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. Duneier, M. (Director). (2010). Sidewalk [Motion Picture].
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Henry-White, J. (2013, September 30). Atlanta getting Homeless off Streets the ‘Unsheltered No More’ Initiative has placed more than 700 People in Housing this Year. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, pp. A9-A10. Howard, E. (2013). Homeless: Poverty and Place in Urban America. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. Jost, J. J., Levitt, A. J., & Porcu, L. (2010). Street to Home. Qualitative Social Work, 244-263. Parsell, C., & Parsell, M. (2012, March 6). Homelessness as a Choice. Housing, Theory and Society, 420-434. Parsell, C., Tomaszewski, W., & Phillips, R. (2014). Exiting Unsheltered Homelessness and Sustaining Housing: A Human Agency Perspective. Social Service Review, 295-321. Pirtle, D., Greene, J., & Sibert, K. (2012, December 6). Why Some Choose The Streets Over Shelters. (A. Shapiro, Interviewer) Washington D.C., United States. Singer, M. (Director). (2000). Dark Days [Motion Picture].
Smiley, D. (2014, August 2). Camillus House welcomes homeless to new pavilion with 100 sleeping mats. Retrieved from Miami Herald: http:// www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/ miami-dade/article1978160.html Sumerlin, J. (1996). What Have you Learned from your Homeless Experience? A Phenomenological Approach for Counseling Unsheltered Homeless Men. Psychological Reports, 883-890. Wakin, M. (2014). Otherwise Homeless Vehicle Living and the Culture of Homelessness. Boulder: FirstForumPress. Zawisza, K. (1996). Homelessness Is Serious in Rural Areas. In The Homeless Opposing Viewpoints (pp. 52-57). San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc.
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Methodologies Observation of Abandoned Individuals in Seattle I was able to observe homeless people in Seattle for two days in October of 2014. I was surprised to find that there wasn’t much panhandling going on. There was a man standing on a street corner with a cup of change and he was just shaking it, I assume this was his way of asking for money without being overbearing. There was also a man selling newspapers to earn money for the homeless. Many of the people were in groups and were really nice. While at Freeway Park, one homeless man asked us how we were. At Regrade Park, which is a dog park there were several homeless people seated at tables right next to the park playing cards. A few people were in the park letting their dogs run around. At the Urban Rest Stop I observed people doing laundry and waiting to use the showers. There is a signup sheet on the front desk. When someone comes in they sign up and then have a seat in the waiting area, next to the front door, for a shower or washer and dryer to open up. Outside there was a group of people talking. I’m not sure if they were waiting to use the services in the Urban Rest Stop or if they had just finished up. Walking around the downtown shopping area we ran into a woman who might have been suffering from mental disabilities or she was just lonely. She was shouting at everyone walking by, but no one could make out what she was saying. A short time later we passed a man who I think was drunk. He had passed out on the sidewalk in an awkward position. He got up after a few minutes and just continued to stand where he was.
Harrison Street
East Madison Street
East Madison Street 12
Interview with Michael Lehrer Whitney: Could you tell me a little bit about the Drop-in center in Los Angeles? Michael: It was created as an experiment/prototype that worked really well for the first 3 years to provide a place for homeless people to go during the day when they are forced out of traditional homeless shelters. It was a place that had a bunch of chairs and tv’s that people could just hang out and sit in a chair and watch tv during the day. Whitney: How many people have been helped by the Drop-in center? Michael: 3 million people Whitney: You say it worked well for the first 3 years, how is it working out today? Michael: Today it is more of a conventional shelter. Anyone arriving at the Drop-in center must speak with a case worker and work towards moving into permanent housing.
Whitney: What caused this transition from being an open center that anyone can use no questions asked to a tradition shelter? Michael: Initially when the center was designed it was designed with the notion that there needs to be openness/freedom. Because of this gates where not put around the facility for about the first 4-5 years. Eventually gates had to be put up because people would run from the police and run into the center and elude being captured by the police. It was also around this time that the decision was made that if a person shows up at the center more than 3 times then they have to talk to a caseworker. Whitney: Do you think that homeless people returned to the streets at night or do you think they were seeking shelter at an emergency shelter? Michael: Most people would go there during the day and then return to the streets at night. The center is essentially a rest area that provided a change of pace to spark the desire to be indoors.
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Interview with Wade Whitney: I have lived just around the corner from you for about 12 years now and I noticed that you have been living in this garage for quite some time. Can you tell me a little bit about your current situation? Wade: I used to own the house next door to here. I lived there for 7 years. I lost my job because the economy was bad, shortly there after my wife and I divorced and I ended up losing the house. My neighbor offered his garage to me to store my things in because he wasn’t using it. Whitney: Do you have any family in Ohio? Wade: I have a daughter that lives down in Wilmington, Ohio. She and her husband own an apartment building and it needed work, so I moved down there to help them fix the building. I stayed in one of the apartments while I was working. When the work on the building was down I couldn’t stay because they needed to rent the unit. So I came back up to Dayton and lived in the garage. I’ve been living in here for about 10 years now. Whitney: Does anybody live in the house in front of the garage? Wade: Yeah, he’s a hermit. He live’s there by himself and doesn’t like to be bothered. 14
Whitney: What has kept you from returning to work? Wade: I have several health problems. I had a heart attack several years ago and since then I haven’t had the strength to return to work. I used to move furniture for a living and I’m too old to do that now. I also have a drinking problem, but I’m still a good person. Whitney: How do you get money for food and other things you need? Wade: I collect cans and sell them at the scrap yard. A lot of the time I just go down to Wendy’s and I will sit there for a while to get out of the garage for a bit and eventually someone usually asks me if I need something to eat and they will buy me something. Whitney: Have you been able to receive any public assistance to help pay for food? Wade: I used to get food stamps, but I was eventually cut off because you have to work to get them and I can’t work anymore. I applied for disability and it was denied.
Whitney: Do you cook?
Whitney: What do you sleep on?
Wade: Yeah, I have a couple grills. In the summer time I will sometimes take them outside and cook something if I have something to put on there and I have the money for the charcoal.
Wade: I have some couch cushions on the ground over there that I lay on sometimes. Sometimes I just sit here in the chair and fall asleep. Whitney: Do you feel safe living here?
Whitney: Why don’t you go to the homeless shelter? Wade: I went over there once to ask them if they had a place I could stay. They told me I would have to go to the men’s shelter which is all the way on the west side. It’s not a good area and it’s far from the scrap yard. It would be hard for me to sell cans if I was all the way over there. Whitney: What are the limitations of living in the garage? Wade: It gets cold in here in the winter time. I have a kerosene heater, but I don’t always have the money to run it. I have several blankets that I usually use instead. I don’t have a bathroom, so I usually walk down to Tank’s (a bar) and I will use there bathroom to clean up and what not and I will sit there for a little bit, but I don’t like to sit there for too long because I don’t have any money to buy anything. Sometimes I walk down to Kroger or Wendy’s and I use their bathrooms, but they don’t have good hours, so it’s hard to go to those places.
Wade: Yeah, I’ve never had any problems. I shut and lock the door at night. I keep the door open during the day to get some light in here. There’s a couple alley cats that hang out here with me. I feed them sometimes. They are good cats I like having them around. I even named them. Whitney: Have you had any issues with the cops or neighbors? Wade: One time somebody called the cops because I was in the garage and they thought I wasn’t supposed to be here. I told them I had the key, but they called the cops anyway. When the cops came I was pretty upset. I told them I used to own the house next door there and when I lost it I was given the key to this garage to store my things in. I gave them the key to prove I wasn’t lying. The cop took the key and tried it in the lock and it worked so there was nothing he could do because I had permission to be here. I’ve never had any problems since the though. I don’t cause any trouble, I just stay to myself. 15
Precedent Studies Camillus House Pavilion Miami, Florida Camillus House is a homeless shelter in Miami, Florida. Because of a lack of beds within the existing shelter people began sleeping outside of the shelter. This provoked leaders of the Camillus House to build a pavilion on their campus in which people could sleep outside the shelter with protection from the rain. In addition to being able to sleep in the pavilion at night it is open during the daytime for people to stay if they have no where else to go. People who stay in the pavilion also have access to all of the services provided within the Camillus House building. Source: www.camillus.org
What is Provided: Sleeping mats for 100 people 30 mats are reserved for those picked up by the police 70 mats are for those who want to stay at Camillus House Roll-down plastic screens to block out rain Outlets for plugging in space heaters Showers Meals Few Rules: No weapons, no drugs, no anti-social behavior Social services (not required) Drug treatment (not required) Clothing Daily activities Kennel for pets Daytime access to the pavilion
What is Not Provided: Long-term outdoor shelter for those that don’t want to live indoors Admittance to the pavilion without answering questions Lockers Another type of bed other than a sleeping mat
Source: www.camillus.org
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Source: www.camillus.org
Genesis Church Picnic Shelter Bloomington, Indiana Genesis Church saw the need for a place for the homeless to go when shelters are full. The church has a picnic shelter on their grounds that they decided to utilize as an outdoor summer homeless shelter. There is also a separate eating area in which the people staying at the shelter can eat meals. Anyone wanting to stay at the shelter must be at the Bloomington Public Library by 7:30 pm each night and they are assigned a cot by 8:45 pm, with lights out at 10:30 pm. Each morning visitors to the shelter must leave for the day, but can return again at night.
Source: www.theindychannel.com
Source: www.theindychannel.com
What is Not Provided:
What is Provided: Cots for 30 people Dinner and beverages No drug or alcohol screening Storage for belongings A ride to the shelter Restrooms Meant to be a temporary means of shelter
Source: www.theindychannel.com
Long-term outdoor shelter for those that don’t want to live indoors Clothing Showers Another type of bed other than a cot Pet admittance Winter time shelter Heating or cooling On site drug treatment or other human resources Daytime access to the shelter
Source: www.theindychannel.com
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First Baptist Church Homeless Pavilion Ann Arbor, Michigan The First Baptist Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan had homeless people sleeping outside of the church every night. They did not want to make the people leave the property, so in 2008 the church had a small wooden pavilion built for the homeless to sleep in at night. However, without any supervision at night there were complaints from the neighbors and the pavilion had to be closed and it was moved o of the church’s property in 2010. The pavilion now resides at the Matthaei botanical gardens at the University of Michigan. Source: www.annarbor.com
What is Provided: Shelter from rain and snow Dinner on Tuesday evening Accommodates 5 people
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What is Not Provided: Daytime shelter (No occupancy until 7pm) On-site drug treatment Lockers Bedding Clothing Laundry Restrooms Showers Meals everyday Health center Vaccinations Toiletries Drug treatment (if desired) Supervision
Urban Rest Stop Seattle, Washington Urban Rest Stop operates two locates in Seattle. A third location will be opening next year. Each week approximately 100 homeless people utilize services at the Denny Triangle location. While the Urban Rest Stop does not provide any type of shelter it does provide services to making people’s lives on the street more comfortable. They do provide legal services for those that are interested in ďŹ nding permanent housing and work.
What is Provided: Showers (714,683 showers provided) Laundry (318,116 loads of laundry) Restrooms (1,368,499 restroom uses) Health Center Information and Referral Services On-site barber Health education workshops On-site hepatitis A&B testing Vaccinations Legal assistance with Social Security Applications On-site assistance with housing referrals and applications Toiletries
Current Locations: Denny Triangle - 1924 Ninth Avenue Seattle, Washington 98101 University District - 1415 NE 43rd Street Rear of University Methodist Temple Seattle, Washington 98145
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
Source: slog.thestranger.com
What is Not Provided: Shelter (long or short term) Pet admittance On-site drug treatment
Source: www.seattlepi.com
Future Location: Ballard - 2014 N.W. 57th Street Seattle, Washington 98107
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Drop-In Center Los Angeles, California The Drop-In center was initially created to be a supplement to existing homeless shelters in the area. The center provides on-site programs, counseling, and a health center. The intentions of the center were give people a break from the streets, so they can gather their thoughts. The center was built to make the homeless feel as if they are guests in the space and that they are welcome to be there. For the ďŹ rst 4-5 years there were no gates at the entry to make everyone feel welcome to just come right in. However, because of issues of criminals trying to hide there gates had to be installed. Around this time it was also decided that after an individuals third visit to the facility they had to speak with a caseworker. Initially the center was designed with 200 guests in mind, however, the center sees between 800-1400 people daily.
What is Provided: Art Therapy Case Management Clothing Drug Abuse Counseling Drug Dependency Support Groups Housing Laundry Meals Toiletries Showers Telephone access Welfare Rights Assistance 20
Source: www.lehrerarchitects.com
Source: www.lehrerarchitects.com
What is Not Provided: Does not serve families Pet admittance People with a primary problem of homelessness or substance abuse
Source: www.lehrerarchitects.com
Source: www.lehrerarchitects.com
Tiny House Village Madison, Wisconsin These tiny homes are on privately owned land on the site of a former auto body shop. The homes are built for $3,000 a piece and are built by volunteers from the community as well as the people who will occupy them. The houses are all built with reclaimed and recycled materials. Three of the nine houses are currently completed and occupied. There are future expansion plans in place of converting the old auto body shop into a community room with a kitchen, laundry facility, and a large restroom with shower facilities. Members of the community would also like to add a garden, tree orchard, and chickens.
What is Provided:
What is Not Provided:
98 square foot homes with a bed, kitchen, bathroom, storage, and propane heat Permanent residence Freedom to decorate the house as the occupants wish
Source: tinyhouseblog.com
Source: tinyhouseblog.com
Source: www.huďŹƒngtonpost.com
Does not serve families Counseling Health Care Meals Clothing Telephone Access
Source: www.kwow.com
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The Eugene Save Spot Eugene, Oregon The Eugene Safe Spot is a legal campground for homeless people that accommodates 15 people. It was built by volunteers and is run o of donates from the public. This campground unfortunately does not allow for daytime access as the camp closes from 10 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday.
What is Provided:
Source: www.kval.com
Legal place to sleep for 15 people Porta-Potties Trash/Recycling service Source of drinkable water A ďŹ re pit Covered space for common use and meetings Platforms for tents with covers for the winter months Biweekly check-in meetings A usable address An environment that is conducive for social support
What is Not Provided: No daytime access No drinking or substance abuse allowed No storage for personal belongings Counseling Health care Clothing Meals Telephone Access 22
Source: www.kval.com
Source: www.kval.com
Source: www.kval.com
Orange Sky Laundry Brisbane, Australia The Orange Sky Laundry project was started by two 20-year-olds. Two washers and dryers were donated to them to put in their retrofitted van. The washers and dryers run off of a generator and they rely on local businesses and parks for a water supply. The van is able to handle about 44 pounds of laundry an hour. The van operates every Monday through Friday. In the future they would like to team up with food truck vendors, so people can get something to eat while they wait for their laundry to finish. They also would like to get several vans going so they can serve more people in need.
Source: www.yahoo.com
Source: www.yahoo.com
Source: www.orangeskylaundry.com.au
Source: www.yahoo.com
What is Provided: Laundry
What is Not Provided: Shelter Counseling Health care Clothing Meals Telephone Access Substance abuse services
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Vehicle Living Worldwide When people cannot find a place to sleep in a traditional homeless shelter or if they have children and staying a homeless campground is out of the question people resort to living in their cars. Living in a car offers privacy, storage, and the freedom to move often to avoid being arrested. Vehicle living can be just as dangerous as living outdoors and is also suspect to police scrutiny.
Source: act.watchdog.net
What is Provided: Shelter Transportation Storage for personal belongings Pet admittance Accommodates families
What is Not Provided:
Source: www.illawarramercury.com
A place to cook meals Showers Restrooms Laundry
Source: theflyingtortoise.blogspot.com
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Tadashi Kawamata - Lodging London/Tokyo London, England and Tokyo, Japan Tadashi Kawamata teamed up with students in November of 2000 to create temporary habitable spaces in urban areas. Tadashi believes a house only becomes a house when there are people present to inhabit these spaces. This project challenged the notion that architecture is viewed as a permanent structure and is rarely done as something temporary to occupy.
Source: AA Files (2001)
What is Provided: Shelter Storage for personal belongings Pet admittance Accommodates families
What is Not Provided: Showers Restrooms Laundry
Source: AA Files (2001)
Source: AA Files (2001)
Source: AA Files (2001)
Source: AA Files (2001)
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Krzysztof Wodiczko - Homeless Vehicle Project New York City The homeless vehicle project was an experiment with creating vehicles for the nomadic homeless that do not choose life in a shelter. This vehicle allows a homeless individual to collect cans and bottles during the day, while not having to worry about leaving personal items in an unsafe place. The vehicle also allows for storage for the cans and bottles until they can be sold. Because of the police forcing the homeless from places they choose to call home, the vehicle is better suited for them because they can easily move to a dierent location.
Source: www.naocaber.org
What is Provided: Shelter Storage for personal belongings
What is Not Provided: A place to cook meals Showers Restrooms Laundry
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Source: issuu.com
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Michael Rakowitz - paraSITE Cambridge, Massachusetts ParaSITE are inatable homeless shelters that attach to exhaust vents on existing buildings. These shelters provide warmth and protection from the elements. Each shelter was designed speciďŹ cally for the person who would inhabit them. The designs were meant to attract the general publics attention and make them take a second look when walking by. Clear plastic was chosen to allow the occupants to see what is happening outside. Source: www.spatialagency.net
What is Provided: Shelter Storage for personal belongings
What is Not Provided: A place to cook meals Showers Restrooms Laundry
Source: www.spatialagency.net
Source: www.spatialagency.net
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City of Dayton Analysis Neighborhoods: (neighborhoods listed in red have supportive housing for the homeless) Northeast: Pheasant Hill Forest Ridge/Quail Hollow Kittyhawk Northridge Estates Deweese Parkway McCook Field Old North Dayton Gateway F.R.O.C.: Philadelphia Woods Fairview Hillcrest North Riverdale Santa Clara Mount Vernon Five Oaks Riverdale Grafton Hill McPherson Downtown: Downtown Webster Station Midtown
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Northwest: Northern Hills Greenwich Village Wesleyan Hills College Hill Dayton View Triangle Cornell Heights Princeton Heights University Row Southern Dayton View Old Dayton View Southwest: Little Richmond Residence Park Westwood Fairlane Germantown Meadows Arlington Heights Lakeview Pineview Madden Hills Highview Hills Stoney Ridge
Innerwest: Miami Chapel Roosevelt McFarlane Wolf Creek Five Points Edgemont Carillon Southeast: Springfield Oregon Historic Inner East South Park University Park Walnut Hills Twin Towers Linden Heights Burkhardt Wright View Eastern Hills Hearthstone Eastmont Belmont Shroyer Park Patterson Park
Source: www.levalleyrealty.com
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Emergency Shelters:
1 2
3
1. Daybreak (Ages 10-19 Only) 2. Gateway Shelter for Women and Families
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3. Gettysburg Gateway for Men
Transitional Housing: 5 6
3
4 2 7 8 1
1. Gascho Gardens (12 Beds) 2. Home-Share (Woman and Children Only) 3. Single Family Home
4. 4-Unit Apartment Building 5. 2-Unit House 6. 2-Unit House
7. Single Family Townhouse 8. Alma’s Place (Ages 18-24 Only)
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Permanent Housing:
1
1. 96 Single Room Occupancy (Woman Only) 2. The De Paul Center
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2
Gettysburg Gateway for Men: What is provided: 24-hour emergency shelter 3 meals daily Clothing Personal care items Mail and message services Job seeking services Access to case management help finding appropriate housing
Gateway Shelter for Women and Families: What is provided: 24-hour emergency shelter 3 meals daily Clothing Personal care items Mail and message services Job seeking services Access to case management help finding appropriate housing
Daybreak (Ages 10-19 Only): What is provided: 24-hour emergency shelter 3 meals daily Clothing Counseling Safety and stability Employment Program Housing Program Street Outreach Program
The Problem with These and Other Shelters: While there are many people who utilize emergency shelters and what they have to offer, others do not. For people, like Wade, who have lived in a particular neighborhood for a number of years they do not want to leave what they know to go to a shelter. Another problem is giving up personal freedoms, like eating and sleeping when you want. For people like Wade, leaving the shelter during the day to collect cans to make money would be difficult. Because Wade is a male, he would have to go to the Gettysburg Gateway for Men shelter. The shelter and the recycling center are not in close proximity to each other. If money has to be spent riding the bus to get to the recycling center then there is not much money left for other things that are needed and desired. For many abandoned people, who chose to live where they can, there is a substance abuse problem that is keeping them from going to traditional shelters. Shelters
do not allow substance abuse on their property. For a person to eventually move into temporary or permanent housing, supported by these agencies, the person must to committed to a drug and alcohol free life. Not everyone is willing to quit using drugs and alcohol just to live in the typical definition of a home. Many other factors play a part in why the abandoned do not go to shelters and simply make their own homes with what they find. What is wrong with this life though? Is it really because we are concerned about their safety or is it simply because it does not conform with society?
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City of Dayton Housing Code Chapter 93: Abandoned buildings become burdens to the city and its citizens when they could be utilized.
Sec. 93.08.1 - Unauthorized entry upon placarded premises No owner or other person shall enter or be present in or on any building, structure, dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises that has been posted with a notice identifying them as a public nuisance, without ďŹ rst obtaining written authorization from the Code Enforcement and Rehabilitation Manager and/or his/her designee, and having such written authorization on his/her person at the time.
Sec. 93.15 - Dangerous dwellings deďŹ ned Those lacking light, air, sanitation, or other mechanical facilities as required by this chapter to protect the health, safety, or general welfare of human beings who live or may live therein.
Occupation should be allowed as long as the building is stable.
Sec. 93.20 - Occupation of nonconforming dwelling prohibited No owner or other person shall occupy or let or permit to be occupied or let by another for occupancy any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, or rooming unit for the purpose of living, cooking, eating, or sleeping therein which does not comply with the requirements of this chapter. Source: www.municode.com
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A dangerous dwelling should really only be deďŹ ned as one about to collapse.
City of Dayton Housing Code Chapter 93: Sec. 93.21 - Kitchen equipment facilities for dwellings
Abandoned individuals do not usually have access to running water within their dwellings.
Abandoned individuals do not usually have access to electricity, so they use Charcoal grills to cook.
Abandoned individuals do not usually have access to running water and often utilize public restrooms.
Every dwelling unit shall contain a room or portion of a room in which food may be stored, prepared, and/or cooked and consumed and which shall be equipped with the following: (A) A kitchen sink in good working condition which shall be connected to both hot and cold water lines and to an approved water and sewer system. A lavatory basin shall not be considered a kitchen sink. (B) Cabinets and/or shelves for the storage of eating, drinking and cooking equipment and utensils and of food that does not require refrigeration for safekeeping. (C) A stove, range, or similar device for cooking food, properly installed with all necessary connections for safe and efficient operation. The use of gasoline stoves or similar fuel burning appliances using highly flammable fuels and the use of portable kerosene stoves or other similar fuel burning portable appliances for cooking is prohibited. (D) A refrigerator or similar device, for the safe storage of food at a temperature less than 45°F, but more than 32°F, properly installed with all necessary connections for safe, sanitary, and efficient operation.
Many abandoned individuals do not have food on hand, therefore, storage is not always needed.
Abandoned individuals do not usually have access to electricity, so they do not keep perishable food.
Sec. 93.22 - Flush water closet, lavatory basin, and bathtub or shower in dwellings Every dwelling unit shall contain a room or rooms affording privacy and equipped with a flush water closet properly connected to a cold water line, a lavatory basin, and a bathtub or shower properly connected to both hot and cold water lines with each of the facilities properly connected to an approved water and sewer system. Source: www.municode.com
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City of Dayton Housing Code Chapter 93: Hot water in the dwelling is not a necessity when public places can be utilized.
Sec. 93.29 - Water heating facilities Every dwelling shall be supplied with water heating facilities which are properly installed, are provided with all required automatic or safety devices, and when so required are properly vented to an approved chimney or flue, are properly connected to water lines and maintained in a safe and good operating condition.
Sec. 93.30 - Electric Service, outlets and fixtures Every dwelling shall be supplied with adequate electric service, outlets, and fixtures which shall be properly installed and maintained in a safe working condition, and connected to an approved source of electric power in an approved manner. Heat can be provided by various means, including several layers of blankets and clothing.
Sec. 93.32 - Room heating facilities (A) Every dwelling shall have heating facilities which are properly installed and vented and maintained in a safe operating condition and are capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms located therein to a temperature of at least 70°F, at a distance of three feet above the floor level during the heating season. (B) No unvented or open-flame gas fired space or unit heater, cooking stove or similar device shall be used as a heating facility. Source: www.municode.com
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Electric service is not a necessity when candles and oil lamps can be used, as well as natural lighting.
Many abandoned individuals safely use kerosene heaters.
City of Dayton Housing Code Chapter 93: For abandoned individuals any size window will work just fine.
An operable door could work just as well for access to the outdoors.
Sec. 93.43 - Window area; habitable room (A) Every habitable room shall have at least one window which can be easily opened and is facing directly to outdoor open space. (B) Where the required window light and/or ventilation is not provided, artificial lighting and/or ventilation systems shall be installed in conformance with the Uniform Building Code.
A door could be used for ventilation if a window is not available. Artificial lighting is often not possible.
Sec. 93.44 - Window ventilation; habitable room The total of open able window area for each habitable room shall be equal to at least 45 percent of the required window area.
Sec. 93.45 - Window and door screening During that portion of the year when there is a need for protection against mosquitoes, flies and other flying insects, every outer door, open able window or other openings used for ventilation shall be provided with screens having not more than one-sixteenth-inch mesh. Screen doors shall be provided with self-closing devices.
Screens are not always possible, but long shirts and pants will work to protect against mosquitoes.
Source: www.municode.com
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City of Dayton Housing Recommendations: Sec. 93.08.1 - Unauthorized entry upon placarded premises Proposed Revision:
Sec. 93.21 - Kitchen equipment facilities for dwellings Proposed Revision:
When entering or establishing a presence in or on any building, structure, dwelling, dwelling unit, or premises that has been posted with a notice identifying them as a public nuisance, use caution when entering and residing in these structures, as they could be unstable. Enter these premises carefully to do a visual inspection. If any floor joists or ceiling rafters have fallen then habitation is not suggested as this structure could be in danger of collapse. Any buildings with a noticeable sag to the structure should be occupied with caution as these could collapse. Closely monitor the sagging of the building for safety.
When possible there should be a place, within the dwelling unit, where food can be stored, prepared, and/or cooked and consumed and have the following equipment: (A) If there is access to running water, a sink or bucket should be provided to wash dishes in. If there is no access to running water a bucket can collect rain water and can be used to wash dishes with. (B) Food and drinks should be stored somewhere dry and in a place in which it would be difficult for rodents to get to. (C) If there is access to electricity small camping stoves can be used for cooking. If there is no access then charcoal and gas grills can be used to cook, but they should be used outside and with caution. (D) If there is access to electricity a small refrigerator can be used for the storage of food and drinks. If there is no access to electricity then a cooler with ice can be used to keep food and drinks cold. In the winter time snow can be used to keep food and drinks cold either in a cooler or by simply burying the items in a save location in the snow.
Sec. 93.15 - Dangerous dwellings defined Proposed Revision: Any building, structure, or dwelling suffering from severe structural damage and in imminent danger of collapse shall be defined as dangerous. Any repairable structure should not be deemed dangerous and repairs shall be allowed in whatever means possible.
Sec. 93.20 - Occupation of nonconforming dwelling prohibited Proposed Revision: Occupation of dwelling shall be allowed as long as the recommendations in this section are being acknowledged and are attempted to be addressed.
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Sec. 93.22 - Flush water closet, lavatory basin, and bathtub or shower in dwellings Proposed Revision: Every dwelling unit should be provided with a portable toilet of some kind. This could be a camping toilet or a large bucket. A plastic grocery bag should be placed on the inside and discarded in a garbage bin when the bag is full.
Sec. 93.29 - Water heating facilities Proposed Revision:
Sec. 93.44 - Window ventilation; habitable room Proposed Revision:
Water heating can be done using a small camping stove to warm up water as needed. Use caution when heating up water and handling hot water.
A window or door of any size should be provided in the dwelling to provide fresh air as well as an easy escape during an emergency.
Sec. 93.30 - Electric Service, outlets and fixtures Proposed Revision:
Sec. 93.45 - Window and door screening Proposed Revision:
Electricity is not a requirement. Lighting can be provided via candles, flashlights, and oil lamps. Extension cords can be ran from neighboring buildings when permission is given. Caution should be taken when using these methods to provide electricity and lighting.
To protect against mosquitoes during certain times of the year screens can be used to cover windows and doors or long shirts and pants are suggested to protect against bites.
Sec. 93.32 - Room heating facilities Proposed Revision: (A) Heating should be provided via space heaters (if electricity is available), propane/kerosene heaters, or metal barrels. These heaters should be operated with caution and should be vented as best as possible. (B) Existing fireplaces should be avoided if the chimney is showing signs of deterioration.
Sec. 93.43 - Window area; habitable room Proposed Revision: (A) Indoor dwellings should have a window or door that can be opened to allow for fresh air and natural light into the space.
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The Outdoor Bed The outdoor bed on a vacant lot in an alley: Materials: 2 x 4 treated studs 2 x 3 treated studs Screws/nails
Dimensions: Bed: 3’ x 7’ x 18” Rear partition: 3’ x 4’ Side partitions: 4’ x 4’ Top Cover: 3’ x 7’
The outdoor bed was designed in response to those that prefer to live in the outdoors for personal reasons. Some people have been living in the outdoors for so long they cannot see themselves living inside again. This also allows for churches that do not have an indoor shelter to provide some type of shelter to those who want it. To relieve crowding in existing shelters, or to provide a more flexible arrangement at existing emergency shelters, these could be placed on the grounds for people to use at all hours of the day. This would allow for those who work third shift to have a place to rest during the day when the shelter is closed. These can also be placed in a secluded area if the occupant wants a more private space.
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The outdoor bed on the grounds of a church:
Construction Process:
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The Garage
The garage was designed in response to a man named Wade that lives in a garage the next street over from my house. When I interviewed him he seemed to be adapting to his living situation well. This arrangement allowed him the personal freedoms he desired, that the local shelters wouldn’t be able to provide. Wade survives in this setting by selling cans to buy things he needs, for example, he has been able to obtain a kerosene heater. His biggest challenge living in this setting is not having a restroom and he is sleeping on couch cushions on the ground. To remedy this situation the outdoor bed had been transformed to accommodate the garage setting. The screens of the outdoor bed are turned into restroom partitions, where a portable toilet can be placed and hidden from view. 42
Construction Process:
Materials: 2 x 4 treated studs 2 x 3 treated studs Screws/nails
Dimensions: Bed: 3’ x 7’ x 18” Partitions: 3’ x 4’ 43
The Porch
The porch was designed in response to people who sleep on porches of abandoned houses. A porch provides a top covering to protect from the weather. However, some of these porch roofs may need to be repaired, that can easily be done with found materials. What many porches lack is a wind screen and a place to securely store belongings when the occupant is either not there or when they are asleep. Using the same materials and rules as the outdoor bed, I have created a cabinet that can be placed in a window frame and wind screens to surround the porch to make cold windy nights more comfortable. 44
Construction Process:
Materials: 2 x 4 treated studs 2 x 3 treated studs Screws/nails
Dimensions: Cabinet: 4’ x 3’ x 18” Screens: 4’ x 3’ each 45
The Building Niche
The building niche was designed in response to observations I made while in Seattle. Building niche’s where being utilized as places to sleep and get out of the rain. They provide an overhead covering, so the only thing lacking is privacy and an o the ground place to sit or sleep. Using the same idea and materials as the outdoor bed, I have created a private place to sit and sleep comfortably within a building niche. It consists of a bench and partition that can also be used by the occasional person just passing through and needing a place to sit. 46
Construction Process:
Materials: 2 x 4 treated studs 2 x 3 treated studs Screws/nails
Dimensions: Bench: 3’ x 2’ x 18” Screen: 4’ x 3’ 47
The Vacant House
The vacant house was designed because of the high number of vacant houses in our nations’ cities. These houses could be utilized and maintained again if we did not board them up and forget about them until they need to be torn down. There are some buildings that are unique in the aspect that they are only half vacant. If the part that is vacant were to be utilized by someone who needs it, the decay of the building would slow. This set up also encourages interaction with abandoned individuals, so they do not feel so alone and isolated. Any abandoned building can be used, however, and the person who is residing there would care for the place and the decay would slow down and these buildings would no longer be eye sores. 48
Components Included: Bed (3’ x 7’ x 18”) (2) Partitions (3’ x 7’ each) (2) Benches (3’ x 2’ x 18” each) Kitchen cabinet salvaged from the vacant house
49
The Rooftop
The rooftop covering was designed in response to a story I heard of a man who lived on a rooftop. The rooftop provides a more private space for the person who does not like or want to interact a lot with others. A rooftop also provides security to the occupants because a ladder could be pulled up to keep others from accessing the rooftop. This particular rooftop has a slope in the middle to provide for a natural place to rest against because taking furniture onto a rooftop would be diďŹƒcult. Even without a slope many rooftops have parapet walls that one can lean against for comfort. This design incorporates a simple covering to protect against the weather. 50
Construction Process: Materials: 6 x 6 treated posts 2 x 3 treated studs Screws/nails
Dimensions: 20’ x 10’-6” x 8’-6”
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The Bus Stop/Park Bench Shelter The bus stop shelter:
The bus stop/park bench was designed in response to the number of people who utilize these benches for sleeping. These benches usually do not have any type of covering to protect from the weather. This lack of protection is not only uncomfortable to the person sleeping on the bench, but it also is uncomfortable to the person waiting on the bench for the bus. Using the same materials and idea as the outdoor bed I have created a cover that would protect from the weather and provide a more comfortable place for anyone using the bench to enjoy. 52
Construction Process:
The park bench shelter: Materials: 6 x 6 treated posts 2 x 4 treated studs 2 x 3 treated studs Screws/nails
Dimensions: 15’ x 5’-9” x 8’-6”
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The Public Restroom
The public restroom was designed in response to the need for public restrooms for the abandoned individual. Many restaurants and businesses reserve their restrooms for customers only. This makes it difficult for the abandoned individual to find a place to use the restoom and clean themselves up a bit. However, there is a big issue with access to running water to provide a public restroom, as well as gathering the funds to build and maintain such a place. What I have proposed is a outdoor restroom near churches that would utilize the same prototype as the outdoor bed. Wooden partitions would be placed to create a stall. Within the stall would be a camping toilet that can be maintained by volunteers of the church. Another stall would have a hose running to it to provide a place for people to wash themselves off as well as washing off their clothes. 54
Construction Process:
7’-2”
Restroom stall with camping toilet
Materials:
3’-2”
Shower stall with hose through wall
2 x 4 treated studs 2 x 3 treated studs Screws/nails 3’-2” 3’-5”
3’-2”
Dimensions: Doors Closed: 7’-2” x 3’-8” x 7’-1” Doors Open: 7’-2” x 6’-8” x 7’-1”
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