YMCA launches container project to combat homelessness

London Forest YMCA is launching a project to use shipping containers to provide temporary accommodation for young homeless people.

Containers

The organisation is working with Robert Kilgour Architects and Midlands-based consultancy Essence Design to develop the mYPad initiative.

Robert Kilgour is working on interior design for the containers – which house a bedroom, shower, toilet and other facilities – while Essence has worked on the branding and graphics for the containers.

Containers

Through the mYPad scheme, Forest YMCA will lease one of the bespoke shipping containers to a homeless person for a cost of 33 per cent of the full-time minimum wage. The idea is that this will give the person a chance to save up for a deposit and first month’s rent for a rental property.

mYPad is currently running at a test site in Walthamstow, east London, and there are plans to roll the initiative out later in the year.

Containers

Essence Design was appointed to create the branding and graphics for mYPad having previously created the London Forest YMCA branding, according to Essence founder Regine Wilber.

Wilber says the graphics have forest connotations – linking into the London Forest YMCA name, and also feature a cityscape and ‘play with nature’.

Containers

The graphics are sprayed directly on to the containers at lower levels, to make them more hard-wearing, while vinyl graphics are used at upper levels.

Wilber says, ‘This is a new approach to helping solve the housing crisis and using creative skills to ensure the containers are not just metal shells but offer a decent step on the way to renting.’

Containers
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Comments
  • George Diner November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Excellent idea to put used shipping Containers to a good cause

  • Steve Thurston November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Love that Shipping Containers have been put to such good use. An idea we are looking to embrace in the north.

  • Nii Armar November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Great idea an idea which is being embraced in som sub Saharan Africa
    Great solution to all kinds of current housing issues proving it working within planning guidelines

  • edison November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    I am comfortable living in my shipping container shelter. I designed it according to my personality.
    http://www.azteccontainer.com

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