THE SHELTER PROTOTYPE
The IMBY team has established a formal relationship with the largest manufacturer of modular constructed homes in the world. The relationship is predicated on the manufacturer’s commitment to “social mission” in deploying their low cost model to address the homeless crisis unfolding in the world. As the largest manufacturer, they provide low cost, almost immediate delivery and massive scalability. We are able to take delivery within eight weeks of order.
We have thoroughly de-constructed the modules, provided critical feedback and revised the construction specifications to meet discerning quality standards and local building codes. Despite a common apprehension with off-shore manufacturing quality, our team has integrated this low cost and efficient manufacturing into their own local construction company for finishing and delivery. Somewhat similar to the auto industry’s “made in the USA” branding.
A key value of this model is that these studio units are entirely transportable, unlike other low-cost manufactured housing units. The units are highly flexible and re-usable. Their investment is by no means a short-term stop-gap, but a long-term solution. They have a one hundred year life, fully recognized as an appreciating asset as part of the real property.
Families can remain in their own home since the modulars can be relocated from a temporary emergency village, to a comprehensive health care compound, to a small integrated neighborhood communities, or to a homeowner’s back yard.
This way, a short-term solution may be a temporary “village” of units at a site where immediate housing can be provided along with broader supportive services. Then later, after rehabilitation, the family can be re-integrated back into the community while remaining in their own “home”. Because their IMBY home can be physically re-located, the family experiences the benefits of stability, thereby mitigating the indignity of transiency.
THE GOVERNANCE
Committed to a humanitarian cause, we are experienced community servants, non-profit administrators, business people, academics, real estate developers and community activists collaborating to help.
The IMBY organization will operate as a 501(c)(3) non-profit out of the Arlene Francis Center in downtown Santa Rosa to provide the foundation for public, private and non-profit collaboration. IMBY will provide overall governance of the initiative as an affiliated entity of the Arlene Francis Foundation. Based at the Arlene Francis Center, Shelter will serve as a hub for driving positive social and environmental change in our community.
THE MANAGEMENT
The development manager for the initiative will be operate to the standards and values of a Certified B Corporation dedicated to meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit with purpose. B corporations are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy. The Arlene will serve as a community hub for community leadership.