THE NEED FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER RESPONSE
A humanitarian and market need exists for fire and mold resistant, insulated, sustainable, mobile, affordable, easy-to-assemble, and scalable cabins for emergency shelter and interim lodging.
#EndStreetHomelessness
#1000CabinChallenge
#TeamHumanity
A MOVEMENT FOR ON-SITE BUILDING TO MEET SHELTER NEEDS
Saint Francis Challenge has initiated and funded the building, open-source design, production, and hosting of over a dozen mobile cabins since 2015, including 3 hemp-insulated cabins in the Southwest.
A MOVEMENT FOR COMMON SENSE BUILDING CODES
Saint Francis Challenge also lobbied for the development of common-sense building code for emergency shelter at the State level, which the State of California adopted in 2018.
DIY AND MARKET MODELS FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER RESPONSE
Current models for affordable and code-complaint cabins include onsite "community DIY build" replicable models—e.g. Saint Francis Challenge's models, Low Income Housing Institute tiny home model, and Community Supported Shelters Conestoga Hug —and turnkey market solutions, such as Pallet Shelters and TuffSheds.
HEMP + EMERGENCY SHELTER RESPONSE
WHY HEMP INSULATION?“Hempcrete”, which is made from hemp fiber and minerals is flame and mold resistant and provides eco-insulation for both cold and hot climates. In addition to addressing a current need for affordable, durable, and mobile emergency shelter, this innovation effort supports the development of the United State’s emerging hemp industry, regenerative agriculture practices, training for eco-infrastructure jobs, and a network of organizations in service to a thriving humanity and planet.
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PROJECT GOALS
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PHASE 1: HEMP SLEEPER CABIN INNOVATION CHALLENGE
In April 2020, Saint Francis Challenge contracted with Fibershed and HavenEarth Center to fund, design, and construct the first Hemp Sleeper Cabin prototype [MOU].
The prototype was completed in Northern New Mexico in October 2020 and has since provided lodging for over a dozen individuals (including families with children) at the Snow Mansion Hostel and Gardens in Arroyo Seco, NM as part of a resident stewardship program.
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PHASE 2: HEMP SLEEPER CABIN INNOVATION CHALLENGE- Saint Francis Challenge contracted with farmer/builders in San Luis, Colorado and Paonia, Colorado to design and build additional hemp sleeper cabin prototypes in December 2020. Two cabins were completed and currently provide the farms with additional lodging and meeting space.
Arnie Valdez/Rezolana Farm workshop (4/2021)
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Hemp decordicator demo at 4/2021 workshop
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NEXT STEPS/GET INVOLVED
Saint Francis Challenge is currently in talks with architects and tiny home builders from the Bay Area to organize a workshop in Spring 2024 that will showcase how to build an elegantly designed cabin that is code compliant for emergency shelter requirements, highly affordable due to materials, and relatively easy to construct.
Municipalities have to spend over $15,000 or more for code-compliant cabins for supported outdoor shelter/tiny village projects. Saint Francis Challenge is part of a movement for actionable and affordable on-site building to save MILLIONS of dollars and COUNTLESS unsheltered hours spent in crisis conditions.
DONATE TODAY
Please chip in today with a tax-deductible donation to raise $20,000 for R&D and materials for our upcoming cabin build workshop anticipated for Spring 2024 (all proceeds go to cabin materials and building stipends, click on campaign link below)—and share this with your favorite millionaire to help us build the team and resources to scale this project by raising $1 million in grants for materials and stipends.
