WANTED: Affordable Housing – SOLUTION: Container/Modular Housing
Hey there fellow Sustainapeeps!! What is the housing situation in your city or country? Worldwide, there is a demand for affordable housing. Real estate prices have soared and availability is limited, depending on location. Supply and demand play a large part in these concerns but do not provide the only explanation. As more people want sustainable options in their daily living habits, shipping containers and modular housing are becoming popular building options and lifestyle choices.
For example, back in 2015, I took a trip to Costa Rica and and afterwards thought to myself how cool it would be to relocate there using shipping containers as housing and living off-grid. I enjoyed it so much that I wrote about it for a school assignment. While I did relocate, it was not to Costa Rica and that’s a different story for a different time. However, Davia Shannon had a similar thought and moved from Los Angeles to Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica in 2016.
She was able to purchase land and build her home using ‘reefer’ or refrigerated shipping containers, which are insulated and serve as the primary structure source. Shipping containers can withstand natural disasters, are easy to relocate if needed, and require less building time (and money) than traditional housing. Davia loves her lifestyle so much that she created Life-A-Holic Costa Rica, a company that helps others who want to relocate in a similar way but don’t know where to start. Pricing can vary depending on lot size and materials, but it can definitely be affordable while offering a less stressful lifestyle.
Los Suenos Container Home by Life-A-Holic Costa Rica, Davia Shannon
If you think shipping containers as housing are not for you, try modular housing. These homes are usually built in a factory, then assembled on the actual lot or plot of land in a way that would be similar to completing a puzzle. In California (USA), Dami Jegede and his company, Roombus, are creating high quality, eco-friendly homes that are disaster proof, energy efficient, and affordable.
Factory production offers less construction waste and larger living configurations at affordable prices. Bamboo is used as much as possible instead of standard building timber as it is strong, grows fast, and easy on the environment. Roombus uses a proprietary steel core frame system with smart technology for maximum energy efficiency.
I love what these companies are doing. But do your research to see how these and similar housing options can work for you. You may just surprise yourself! If you know of other projects like this, feel free to share them with SustainableVee. Till next time, take care and keep thinking sustainably. 😊
