Forsite has proposed an adaptive reuse of a former big box store into a campus facility for the unhoused. Outfitted with cargo containers to create micro living units, the 400 unit facility would allow verdant, communal spaces with ample natural light within a safe, secure, and durable environment. An anticipated unit cost of $12,000 would provide significantly better return on investment than current strategies.
The 20 acre site in central Austin, Texas would accommodate support services: medical clinic, skill training, and counseling services, in proximity to the living units. Investments in Saint Johns Park, adjacent to the site, to include community amenities such as dog parks, walking trails, and natural areas.
This is an opportunity for the City of Austin to expediently and economically house scores of individuals currently on the street, in a facility that fosters their long term stability.