Date of Award

Spring 2024

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Santa Clara : Santa Clara University, 2024

Department

Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering

First Advisor

Tonya Nilsson

Second Advisor

Hisham Said

Abstract

DignityMoves is an organization committed to providing interim supportive housing to the unhoused population. DignityMoves partners with philanthropic organizations, owners, and cities to borrow unused and empty lands for anywhere from five (5) to twenty (20) years and organize the development of sites using prefabricated modular tiny homes. These homes meet housing department codes and standards while also allowing DignityMoves to capitalize on city emergency housing codes.

The goal of this project is to address the structural, geotechnical, greywater, building envelope, and construction management scopes of building interim supportive housing sites to create standardized solutions that:

(a) Lower the cost per unit (per bed/individual housed) needed to house one person to less than $50,000
(b) Expedite the building timeline to a six (6) to nine (9) month construction duration
(c) And prioritize low-impact designs.

This project was developed off of a foundation of research from a diverse range of sources including scientific studies, census data, and insight from industry professionals, government officials, and people who experience homelessness. The combined insight from all of these sources informed our design process and final deliverable, a tool to aid in the design and development of interim housing sites that prioritizes standardization, cost-effectiveness, rapid implementation, and sustainability. Ultimately, this project’s findings will serve as a baseline and tool for DignityMoves to meet the previously mentioned goals, and to continue improving their interim supportive housing initiatives.

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