🏡 Shipping Containers - Sustainable Housing for college students (WSLS News)

[Winter2025VA]

[Wednesday 8/20/25]

ARTICLE TITLE: Shipping containers provide versatile, sustainable housing options for Roanoke College students.

I just saw this article in my Google News for MY AREA IN VIRGINIA.

USE LINK BELOW TO READ ARTICLE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.

https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2025/08/19/shipping-containers-provide-versatile-sustainable-housing...

[Winter2025VA]

[Thursday 10/23/25]

Anyone lived in a Shipping Container?

If YES, what are the "pros & cons" and any TIPS?

Read what OTHERS have posted.

Take care,

Nicole (Friends & Family Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

I did hear back from one of the reporters. There were two articles. Anyway, he said I can see them from the road so I am driving by the college tomorrow.

From the "online" pictures, really "cramped" but I guess the youngsters will not mind.

Me at age 67, no longer do well with "cramped" anything including Public Transportation. That is why I keep the other Old Lady (2006 Hyundai Elantra) running.

Take care,

Nicole (Friends & Family Forum)

[GailL1]

Seems from my readings, several large cities are looking into this type of container housing as an answer for their homeless problem.  I know Atlanta has 40 such units .Known as “Melody”.  

Georgia Public Broadcasting - 01/30/2024 - Shipping containers converted for Atlanta’s first rapid h... 

Phoenix and Detroit are also some other cities that are using this type of concept for their homeless.  

From the reading, there is quite a lot to do in the planning - priority is that the containers are healthy since many of them may have been used for unhealthy uses.  Then the solar panel are best since this cuts down on the electrical needs especially since they do need to be heated and cooled.  

The furnishing have to be made to specification since they cannot be too big and need to convert sometimes from one use to another for this amount of space - 125 sq ft isn’t much but neither is 250 sq ft but this is better than the 1st.  

[Winter2025VA]

Yes Gail @GailL1 , you are CORRECT!!! But I want them in my area for Seniors like myself who DONOT qualify for Housing Assistance = PREVENT homelessness. The homeless in my area have LOTS of housing options. We DONOT. Nicole!

➡️[*** GAIL @GailL1 wrote:

Seems from my readings, several large cities are looking into this type of container housing as an answer for their homeless problem.  I know Atlanta has 40 such units .Known as “Melody”.  

Georgia Public Broadcasting - 01/30/2024 - Shipping containers converted for Atlanta’s first rapid h... 

Phoenix and Detroit are also some other cities that are using this type of concept for their homeless.  

From the reading, there is quite a lot to do in the planning - priority is that the containers are healthy since many of them may have been used for unhealthy uses.  Then the solar panel are best since this cuts down on the electrical needs especially since they do need to be heated and cooled.  

The furnishing have to be made to specification since they cannot be too big and need to convert sometimes from one use to another for this amount of space - 125 sq ft isn’t much but neither is 250 sq ft but this is better than the 1st.  

---

[GailL1]

---

@Winter2025VA wrote:

Yes Gail @GailL1 , you are CORRECT!!! But I want them in my area for Seniors like myself who DONOT qualify for Housing Assistance = PREVENT homelessness. The homeless in my area have LOTS of housing options. We DONOT. Nicole!

You do know that many elderly are among the homeless.  

This will just give you an idea of the cost of these types of rentals.

The Medicare P.A.C.E. program is utilizing these type of accommodations in Detroit.   PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a joint Medicare and Medicaid program that provides comprehensive healthcare and social services to older adults who need a nursing home level of care but want to continue living in the community.

Under PACE, an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals works with participants to coordinate all their medical and social needs, offering services like adult day care, transportation, home care, and physical therapy, among many others, to help them maintain their health and independence.  They also help with their living quarters - several different types - refabbed shipping containers are one such idea they are pursuing.

The Detroit PACE organization is partnering with a nonprofit developer to create a cluster of 21 shipping containers converted into little houses in Eastpointe, just outside Detroit. Still in the planning stages,[an official of the organization] said, the refurbished containers will probably rent for about $1,000 to $1,100 a month.

I don’t know if their idea is to also have the solar panels which helps with the cost of the utilities. Probably - but it was not mentioned in this particular article.  

EDITED TO ADD - there are PACE organizations in several areas in Virginia, you could also contact them to see if they have any plans along this line.  

---

[Winter2025VA]

Yes Gail @GailL1 , I am aware that we have Seniors who are homeless. Remember I was homeless myself for 13 months. Anyway dear lady, hopefully we will one day be able to PREVENT it BEFORE it happens. Take care, Nicole!

➡️[*** GAIL WROTE.

You do know that many elderly are among the homeless. This will just give you an idea of the cost of these types of rentals. The Medicare P.A.C.E. program is utilizing these type of accommodations in Detroit. PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a joint Medicare and Medicaid program that provides comprehensive healthcare and social services to older adults who need a nursing home level of care but want to continue living in the community. Under PACE, an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals works with participants to coordinate all their medical and social needs, offering services like adult day care, transportation, home care, and physical therapy, among many others, to help them maintain their health and independence. They also help with their living quarters - several different types - refabbed shipping containers are one such idea they are pursuing. The Detroit PACE organization is partnering with a nonprofit developer to create a cluster of 21 shipping containers converted into little houses in Eastpointe, just outside Detroit. Still in the planning stages,[an official of the organization] said, the refurbished containers will probably rent for about $1,000 to $1,100 a month. I don’t know if their idea is to also have the solar panels which helps with the cost of the utilities. Probably - but it was not mentioned in this particular article. EDITED TO ADD - there are PACE organizations in several areas in Virginia, you could also contact them to see if they have any plans along this line.

[Winter2025VA]

This is a 1st for MY AREA & totally EXCITED.

Now I can start ASKING for the same for us OLD FOLKS in my area.  🙃👍

Take care,

Nicole (Friends & Family Forum)

[Winter2025VA]

[8/23/25] Finally made some time for this project & emailed the reporter ASKING.

(1) What are the plans for the Shipping Containers once the dorms have been RENOVATED?

(2) Will the public be allowed to see them? I have NEVER seen one in real life.

(3) Who designed them?

Take care,

Nicole (Friends & Family Forum)