Transit Housing

Why

People who live in unsanctioned slums or migrant settlements suffer disproportionately when it comes to housing. They are often new additions to a city, without much disposable income or ability to predict how long they will be able to stay in a slum or migrant settlement. Without a means or incentive to invest in long-term housing, they and their family members live in unsafe, unsanitary conditions. The market has failed to provide an adequate solution for their short-term housing needs.

Who

Migrant families often survive on less than $3 per day and live under a tarpaulin tent in a blue-tent settlement. Families spend roughly 30% of their income for the right to work and live in these settlements, receiving minimal services (access to water or electricity) in return. Public restrooms are rare, and open defecation is the norm. Rats, insects, and bacteria are common, and families spend a significant amount of their lives fighting illnesses.

What

Pop-Up Housing solves this problem with a low-cost, low-labor housing solution for both migrant communities and residents in slums. Our housing uses slotted metal angles to build the frames, as these are lightweight, sturdy, easily available, and can be fastened into any configuration using simple nuts and bolts. To finish the structure, we source locally-made recycled or sustainable panels for roof materials, walls, floors, beds, and other furniture.

How

As part of our $100-Dollar Half-a-House Program, we provide a housing frame for free for residents to finish (with walls, roofs, and flooring). The frames can be completed as education centers, livelihood spaces, or rooftop additions to rent out to migrants. We assist families with sourcing and installing walls, roofing, and furnishings to complete the house, connecting them to microfinance sources as needed. End-users are co-creators in the design process; we collect design inputs to inform new design iterations and product prototypes.