Mobile Cabin Innovation + Utilization (2015-2024)

Saint Francis Challenge helped fund, build, and utilize more than a dozen mobile cabins to provide safe transitional shelter, including three hemp-insulated cabins. SFC received the Innovation Award at the first annual Hemp Building Summit in 2021. In summer 2024, SFC also funded and administered Resident Steward programs at two farm sites using the hemp-insulated cabins, providing stipends and lodging for three Resident Steward volunteers.

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, resident stewardship programming for healthy soil, water, and air, training for eco-infrastructure jobs, and a network of organizations to support a thriving humanity and planet.

cabin Innovation goals

• R&D of safe, secure, mobile, and eco-insulated sleeper cabins for emergency shelter, land activation, and/or resident stewardship, that can be either flat packed, built directly on a trailer, and/or be delivered to a location.

• The sleeper cabin is to 70 sq ft or greater in total usable floor area, with a bed platform and suitable storage and desk space.

• The sleeper cabin must meet CA State building code for such transitional shelter (“Emergency Sleeping Cabins” as outlined in State of CA’s Information Bulletin 2018-05).

• Explore and develop partnerships for construction, materials sourcing, regional manufacturing, and distribution of a “sleeper cabin” made with hemp insulation.

cabin innovation outcomes/awards

• Spring 2020: SFC 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 served as transitional resident housing for over a dozen individuals providing stewardship support to Peaceful Earth Gardens/Snow Mansion in Arroyo Seco, NM .

• November 2020: SFC won the Hemp Innovation Award from the first annual Hemp Builders Conference for our Mobile Hempcrete Insulted Cabin.

• Winter 2020: SFC contracted with farmer/builders in Paonia and San Luis, Colorado to design and build hemp sleeper cabin prototypes and provided $5,000, a trailer, and hempwool and hempcrete insulation materials. Two additional sleeper cabins were built with SFC support by May 2021.

Summer 2024: SFC worked with small farmers from Paonia and San Luis to activate their hemp-insulated cabins with Resident Stewards to support their Summer planting and growing operations. SFC provided support with selection and onboarding of multiple Resident Stewards who used the hemp cabins for lodging and were provided $1,000 for 3 months of stewardship support.