Architect Wants To Turn Old Subway Cars Into Housing For Homeless

[lindysalsagal]

18. I know there are empty shopping malls from the '80's boom that need re-purposing.

The cost would be in insurance and supervision, but, hey, that would mean jobs, so, let's get to it.

With the malls, you could even make the bathrooms and kitchens and laundry community-shared, thereby making them easier to maintain and repair. Some people would just as soon relinquish the ownership and upkeep, anyway.

A simple meal system would be better than begging in the street, and less wasteful than out-sourcing where someone has to make a profit. Local shops and restaurants could donate leftovers to one location.

For a family with kids, knowing you could get by and stay safe and dry, and stop the endless moving around from shelter to shelter, your kids could remain at the same school and develop healthy social lives. Public transportation would be easier from a central location, and you could even consider bringing in routine, basic healthcare.

It has to be cheaper than profit-based hotels, which offer no services. The empty malls aren't generating any tax revenue.

All we lack is compassion and political will.