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The Home for Homeless that Couldn't Find a Home

Emily Carr project lands on Bowen Island but remains empty.

By Amy Juschka, 3 Jun 2009, TheTyee.ca

Emily Carr House

One of four mini-homes designed by art students.

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After months of uncertainty, Vancouver's smallest housing development has finally found a home. A series of 64-square-foot homes built last year by Emily Carr students have been adopted by the Bowen Community Housing Association on Bowen Island.

Despite the city's pressing need for more short and long-term housing developments, no Lower Mainland municipality would take them. It was almost too ironic: a housing project for the homeless that was homeless itself. Happily though, the project will now be put to some use.

"I'm excited that our project won't just be something we can include in our portfolio," says David Cha, 22, a third-year industrial design student at Emily Carr who, along with four of his classmates, helped to design and build one of the project's houses. "Seeing it actually being used and being part of making a change in our community means so much to me as an individual and as a student."

Small and cheap

Painted a vibrant orange, Cha's design is a staggered structure featuring multifunctional furniture, two small patios and is meant to be equipped with a green wall, which would provide added insulation and could be used to grow fruits and vegetables by its occupant.

It's one of four brightly painted mini-homes built by third-year Emily Carr students working alongside wood-manufacturing students from UBC's Centre for Advanced Wood Processing. These 64 square-foot structures cost just $1,500 a piece and are meant to address the continuing crisis of homelessness in Vancouver.

"I wanted to come up with a project that was relevant to our city," says Christian Blyt, an associate professor at Emily Carr who proposed the homegrown project to his industrial design class last spring. "We wanted to tackle a local problem using design, so I created a project with a concept that we could implement to a full-scale."

With just 15 weeks to complete the task, the goal of the Homesforless project was to design affordable, short-term housing using pine beetle-killed wood and 30 per cent recycled building materials. According to Cha, the real challenge of the project was building on a one-to-one scale, something uncommon in design classes, which usually only require students to build a scaled model.

"It was tough and there were a lot of challenges," says Cha. "I have a design background, not a construction background, so parts of it were definitely difficult...I had to ask a lot of questions."

Talking to potential residents

Blyt says his students were hesitant of the project at first but, after convincing them of its importance, they took it on passionately and consulted people living in shelters, on the streets and in abandoned buildings. This, says Blyt, allowed his students to get a first-hand perspective from their clientele and adapt the homes to their unique needs.

For Cha, the chance to speak directly with homeless people was the most rewarding part of the project. "The research that went into this project was pretty serious and speaking with homeless citizens was really a precious moment for us," he explains. "They told us how hard it is to do anything without an address...most of them told us they needed a place to rest, a place to sleep and an address so they could apply for a job and keep their things safe."

The homes are a direct reflection of these needs, offering multifunctional shelving and storage space that doubles as furniture. "To be able to use our strength in design to help in some way, to be part of something bigger, was really great," says Cha.

But Blyt wasn't only hoping to inspire his students. More than just a community housing development, the Homesforless project is also meant to promote wider dialogue among the public regarding housing rights and homelessness.

Communication as art form

"The main objective of the project was a form of three-dimensional communication," says Blyt. "We wanted to show that with very limited resources, you can create homes for these citizens, and I keep stressing citizens because they are citizens with rights just like the rest of us."

Although the public's reaction to the Homesforless project has been overwhelmingly positive, until recently, it looked like they may have ended up as garden sheds or children's playhouses, something that Cha says would have been a total waste.

After initial talks with the cities of Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster, it seemed that no municipality was seriously considering using the shelters to house their homeless populations, making the housing development essentially homeless itself. "We worked extremely hard and talked to a lot of people but we were hitting walls all over the place," says Blyt.

Island living?

It looked like the Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Society was going to adopt the units, but negotiations fell through this spring and the homes were at risk of being demolished.

That is until the Bowen Community Housing Association (BCHA) heard the news and its board members acted quickly to have the homes relocated to Bowen Island, where approximately one per cent of the Island’s 3,000 permanent residents lack reliable housing.

While the houses were originally slated to house a few of the Island's twenty-plus homeless people, their arrival was met with scepticism, as many residents worried the mini houses would attract homeless people to the Island.

According to Richard Best of the BCHA the houses will remain empty for the foreseeable future, though they will serve to educate islanders about the need for more affordable housing.

Related Tyee stories:

[Tyee]

Amy Juschka is managing editor of Megaphone, Vancouver's award-winning street newspaper.

22 Comments:

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  • alive

    2 years ago

    so help me ***

    Another do-gooder-project!

    someone forgot to engage the brain, and wasted endless hours and goodwill, creating a useless contraption.

    How come there always are funds available for hare-brained schemes?

  • frank2

    2 years ago

    Project is far from useless.

    Project is far from useless. And hasn't failed. It's got Several young designers interested -- and will undoubtedly affect their future work. And if this project "fails" to house homeless individuals, it helps others to think how to do better. The first aircraft weren't such great performers either.

  • sunshine coast girl

    2 years ago

    Alive would apparently

    prefer that the homeless remain homeless; rather that work to find some solution. Maybe it will work, maybe not, but you certainly can't address the problem if you don't try different solutions.

    Why are you here anyway?

  • jwstewart

    2 years ago

    This demonstrates that not

    This demonstrates that not only alive, but society as a whole doesn't want to takle the homeless problem.

    All of the cities mentioned don't want homeless people in houses unless they are the same over-priced and over-taxed buildings the majority of citizens occupy.

    There is no allowance for scaling things to a level that lower or no-income earners can adapt to.

    Notice expecially the reaction of Bowen residents, who thought the homes would "attract homeless people".

    Would not the existennce of a home for them remove them from the ranks of homelessness?

    The underlying message is a prejudice against something...

  • zalm

    2 years ago

    Not to put too fine a point on it

    but the bitching on this thread is old news.

    The issue has never been about the shelters themselves, it's always been about where to put them. City parks have other users, there is no such thing as "vacant land" anywhere in the GVRD, or at least anywhere within a day's shopping-cart-push of a bottle recycling depot, no private property owner wants to rent out the space even for a year without some assurance that the shelters won't become squats with police required to move them off, and most of all, these shelters require utilties and services of all kinds.

    You can't put shelters up and not provide them with water, sewer, minimal electricity, police and/or security, fire protection, addressing, restrictions to prevent them from accidentally killing each other, etc. etc. This is merely the first-world attempt to create the favela with all the dangers leading to short life span that we look down on other countries for tolerating.

    Despite the snarky tone, alive's right. It's a nice project for Emily Carr students to feel good about and get good marks on, but it's navel-gazing writ large because they don't address the issue.

    Land.

    In the immortal words of Michael Walker of the Fraser Institution "Everything should be owned by somebody, because then they would take care of it." When it comes to land, he got his wish, in spades. And it hurts.

  • alive

    2 years ago

    get real!

    thank you Zalm for explaining what seemed the obvious objection to me.

    There are cities around the wrold where such shelters would be just fine, situated in their shanty-towns where people live like cattle in a corral.

    Apart from a few who manage to create a spot for themselves in parks, that sort of "housing" does not fit in here.

    Sorry, people I assumed you would give this some thought before jumping on the do-gooder bandwagon.

    I have a strong social conscience, but I do not get fooled by silly attempts at solving serious issues.

    These "houses" are exactly what Coleman and his ilk want to happen: lots of talk and NO action.

  • G West

    2 years ago

    There ar solutions to homelessness and substandard housing

    But they don't involve this kind of stand-alone solution.

    Zalm points out a huge problem and alive another.

    Solutions for homelessness have to start with finding ways to house the homelessness and permit them to establish some kind of re-integration with the rest of the culture.

    Setting up a few hive-like domains in the corner of a park (or a parking lot) certainly doesn't cut it.

    There are institutions like the Portland Hotel Society who are trying to do something meaningful and marginally successful - even then, the welfare shelter allowance of Portland 'residents' covers less than half of the costs of the housing and integrated supports provided by the society.

    I'm sure zalm has more hands on experience with this kind of thing than I do but the suggesting that 'shoe-boxing' is any kind of a solution is absurd.

    Real solutions are more 'financial' and social than they are architectural, I'm afraid.

    Mock up a bunch of these 'kit' homes and send them to Darfur if you like – they might be marginally useful there…

  • morechatter

    2 years ago

    G West says its to big a problem for that

    And homelessness is not an island unto itself all thought many could say those on the island played a big part in the homeless problem. As society doesn't have a say in the homeless crisis although it is a cause of much concern for many. If society did we wouldn't have the problem.
    We have the problem because it isn't a problem as security and policing services are booming and a few have gotten very, very rich.
    And its in the budget, homelessness as government prepares to take several thousand young and old alike off the streets during the cold, wet months. And with many losing their jobs expect things to get a whole worst before it ever gets better. And whats the future hold for homelessness well that depends on what industry has in store for us. As its not the people in this province who have the say no what you get is to pay.

  • MichaelT

    2 years ago

    I'm going to be homeless

    I'm going to be homeless next month with no work - can I get in one of these homes?

  • morechatter

    2 years ago

    Call It Dehumanization

    Because thats what it really is as people are forced to the streets to live like animals on Vancouver's sidewalks. As the allies are used for urination and fecal matter as there are no toilets and this is progress? And the cold, dirty sidewalks becomes your bed as the rats scurry around your head. While crys in the night run cold as the homeless are forced to sleep with one eye open as to not end up dead.

  • Stump

    2 years ago

    more pix from the project

    It struck me as an extremely useful educational exercise, and a business opportunity that could be leveraged to help homeless people and create entrepreneurial opportunities.

    http://tinyurl.com/3mcg37

  • morechatter

    2 years ago

    Call Its by its right name

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dehumanization
    and then click on homeless. And its said once you make it to the streets its almost impossible to get off them, alive. As its the genocide of the poor. And work is not the issue so much as a place to lay their heads with a little human dignity. And the rest will take place as co op greenhouses and gardens in the community would also provide fresh produce to those in the community. Rooftops, awkward spaces, as families take part in growing their own produce reducing the need for food banks and Quest who promote kidney disease. As the food coming out of those place is crap as no food value and the price the children are going to pay is criminal in such a rich country. Maybe we can get Cohen out from the Army and Navy as she drums up body parts for those little children she has done her level best to see they go without.

  • alive

    2 years ago

    is this a solution?

    check this out: http://www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/2671

  • RickW

    2 years ago

    "Acceptable" Tiny Houses......

    http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Tiny+affordable+houses+Langford/1657313/story.html

    Quote:
    Some of the houses in the new Kettle Creek Station development could be as small as 400 square feet and sell for as little as $199,00O

    I do so like the notion that they would sell for as LITTLE as $199,000. ROFL!

  • Alison Creekside

    2 years ago

    Dignity Village

    is a viable if portable community between two highways outside Portland Oregon.

    When the four Emily Carr houses landed here on Bowen, some well-heeled locals freaked, as Amy noted. Someone offered land for them, along with help to build a central kitchen/bathroom unit and a plot to grow vegetables on - very much like the beginnings of Dignity Village. Then the zoning laws kicked in and that was the end of that. Really too bad the opportunity was missed to advance the Emily Carr project to the next level.

  • zalm

    2 years ago

    The tone's still snarky

    "There are cities around the wrold where such shelters would be just fine, situated in their shanty-towns where people live like cattle in a corral.

    Apart from a few who manage to create a spot for themselves in parks, that sort of "housing" does not fit in here."

    There are no cities around the world where such shelter is "fine" any more than there is no place here that it would not fit in.

    If it's not good enough for us, why should it be good enough for Mombasa or Recife or Pune?

    The issue here is not how to sidestep the inequality of opportunity that fails to offer unlucky hard workers the same chance at decent livable housing as lucky hard workers, and furthermore allows some to hog most of the resources and construct rules that prevent everyone from getting into decent shelter.

    The game is crooked. And the "do-gooders" as you call them, are trying to step around the issue instead of dealing with it.

    I'm lucky. I've got a nice house, nicer than I need, not as nice as I want, not too far from our freebooting friend Wilfred Laurier, so I construct suites in it and rent them out at less than market to deserving students and now my folks are moving in, thus freeing up a larger apartment for someone who needs it. I worked as hard as most others for it, but made out better. My (distant) cousin worked hard, and lost his. He's not homeless, but he's gonna be, like MichaelT above in a few weeks if something doesn't change for him and his pregnant and sick wife.

    The game's crooked. What are you doing to change the rules so everyone gets a chance?

  • zalm

    2 years ago

    Several times

    I've considered opening up my garage to passing shopping carts to sleep inside next to the car and among all the odds and ends and construction materials, but I willingly admit to being afraid of liability, of scratches on the car, of missing materials and stuff.

    There's not so much as a front door on the garage anyway, and it's only a few feet from the street. A small sign, a quiet work at the church up the street, and I'm sure it would be occupied every night.

    But I don't. And I wonder quite often, should I? Most of the binners who rattle by (and there are a LOT of them, mostly due to the UnitedWeCan in the neighbourhood) are decent sorts, but a few aren't, and how do I identify which is who? Or by what right do I allow one and not the other, who might be more needy?

    I'm not Solomon.

  • alive

    2 years ago

    cynical will do!

    I am all for equality around the world, however at the moment there are different standards as to what may be considered OK for shelters.

    The "houses" this article is all about would be an improvement in some shanty towns.

    While not appreciated, shanty towns are allowed to exist in many places, while any such attempts here is crushed fast.

    Zalms generosity is fantastic and will no doubt help a few individuals, let us hope that he is rewarded for it.

    Yes, I am snarky, because I am cynical of all the media play over what really amounts to a feeble excuse for a project for those students (probably to cash in on some grant).

    Sorry, there is no acceptable solution to an overpopulated world! hmmm, maybe a new Pope?

    Whenever possible people will congregate where the climate is best, and no matter how much effort made, there will continue to be an influx here.

  • Stump

    2 years ago

    Facts can be your friend

    For anyone who prefers facts over assumptions, details of the genesis of the project can be found by reading the original press release here:

    http://www.ecuad.ca/system/files/HomesforLess+Oct+16_0.pdf

    Anyone can be cynical. It's the default, do-nothing position emblematic of our culture. Listening, learning, and acting on that knowledge is the catalyst for positive change, which is exactly the process the students from ECIAD and BCIT who took part in the project used to create these novel shelters. As someone who actually went down and looked at these homes, I can say with certainty the innovative solutions they showcased will stand us all in good stead when these students apply their knowledge out in the 'real world'.

    Further, if you think there's grant money involved Alive, phone the number listed on the press release and get back to us with the $$$ information. Anyone can cast aspersions in ignorance. You however, can educate yourself one way or the other with about five minutes effort. I think you owe it to the students you malign to do so.

  • alive

    2 years ago

    do the groundwork first!

    With about five minutes of effort, the instructors at the Carr place could have learned that these huts are not compatible.

    Maybe the students first assignment should have been a feasibility study?

    BTW if they did not get a grant, it would be highly unusual! most waste of effort projects happen because the government sponsors them

  • Stump

    2 years ago

    Click me, click me, I'm a lonely link

    Compatible with what exactly? I'm not clear on the intent or meaning of your comment.

    The students interviewed homeless people (and shelter directors, etc) to find out what they require most... as both the article and provided link point out. The homes were constructed as part of a conference in April 2008. The original intent wasn't to implement it as a full-scale project and the outcome so far is great. The students learned something and provided concrete (well, wood) examples for others to check out. Blueprints and CAD files are vapourware. These are real and make it easy for people to understand the challenges of designing portable micro-homes.

    I think they have great potential as a low cost way to have a recreational property and could be a profitable niche for a savvy investor. For private campgrounds, they'd be a perfect fit as a step up option for tent campers in rainy weather. At $1500 (or less) you could recoup building costs in just 50 nights at $30 per.

    Using your method, an artist wouldn't paint a picture until (s)he'd picked the frame and secured wall space at a gallery. I guess Orville and Wilbur should've stuck to bike repair, since there were no airports at Kitty Hawk!

    This project was far from a waste of effort. Unlike providing you with additional information on the subject.

  • ME2

    2 years ago

    Thanks folks

    Every now and then I get a feeling of hopelessness as I read in the TYEE a seemingly endless recounting of the ills the marketeers are visiting upon our world.

    But then I often enough come across a thread like the one above which makes me feel proud that I am participating with a crowd of like-minded people who can think clearly and respond with plenty enough logic to easily refute the argumentation of people like alive.

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