LCS Tiny Home Shelters

The Lawrence Community Shelter is a leading social service organization in Douglas County, Kansas and provides year-round support, housing, and basic needs to those experiencing homelessness within the city of Lawrence, Kansas and county. In 2019, operating at full capacity, the shelter served over 500 adults and children and successfully placed over 130 of those members into permanent housing. However, the impact of COVID-19 means the shelter has had to change their operation. To slow the spread among the homeless population in Lawrence, the Community Shelter was forced to reduce capacity to less than half of operating potential. Pre-COVID-19 living conditions were already in need of improvement with the homeless members sleeping in a large “dormitory” style room packed with bunk beds; risks are extremely high as the shelter is trying to take in as many people as possible.

Recognizing the urgent need, Studio 804 is donating twelve tiny homes, made from repurposed shipping containers. Not only do these containers offer a private space for homeless families, but it also adds space to isolate homeless members needing a full quarantine. The Lawrence Community Shelter location is large enough to accommodate the six duplex units on their exterior grounds. The goal is to complete the project by late Spring when all the participating students graduate.