City Installs Pods For Homeless Population To Sleep Safely In

Feb 06, 2021 by apost team

Homelessness is a problem all over the world, but one nonprofit organization in the German city of Ulm has come up with an ingenious solution to try and help the problem. Named "Ulmer Nest," the nonprofit organization has created small pods designed for one person but can fit up to two people and guarantee a safe night's rest. Placed throughout the city, the modern pods are a solution to homelessness during Germany's harsh winters and have been particularly timely as shelters have been forced to shut down amid the ongoing pandemic.

The problem of homelessness is an ongoing one and it's only been compounded globally as the pandemic continues to affect the way we live. It's even affected the homeless, with many shelters being forced to close down. Now that it's winter in the northern hemisphere, that has caused problems for homeless people, who may struggle to find a safe and warm place to rest for the night. There have even been reports in Canada of people dying as temperatures have dropped below freezing.

But one nonprofit in Germany is trying to help the situation. Based in the southwestern German city of Ulm, where winter temperatures can drop below freezing, the organization called "Ulmer Nest" has designed space-like sleeping pods that serve as a warm and safe place for the city's homeless population to sleep. As reported by the Daily Mail, the project's Facebook page states the main objective as:

'We hope with the Ulmer Nests to offer some protection and security to those who need it most in Ulm."

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Made of wood and steel, the space-like pods are insulated and waterproof, to ensure that whoever is sleeping inside can have a good, warm night's rest. They've even been upgraded recently and now feature communications panels inside and solar panels on the exterior. The overall design looks like something out of a science fiction movie, but perhaps the Ulmer Nests are a sign of our future and how we can create a more caring place for all of humankind. 

The logistics behind how they function is very modern and high tech. Once a pod is opened, an alert is sent to the nonprofit's HQ, allowing staff to check if the person needs any help. The following day, staff can then ensure that the pod is cleaned after each person to ensure the highest hygiene standards. Although made as single person pods, they can in fact sleep two people, while the design allows for adequate air circulation.

Ulmer Nest's website explains that the pods function as: "an emergency shelter to protect homeless people in extremely cold nights from coldness, wind, and moisture. It is targeted at those who can not accept existing measures like collective accomodations and therefore is an alternative to an unprotected night outdoors."

They go on to say that the pods are not a substitute for sleeping in controlled and secure environments such as homeless shelters, but they are an option for those who might find themselves stuck out on a particularly cold night or in times such as the current one, where shelters are forced to close. 

The project is still in its infancy, having started in 2018, and is sure to only become more developed and appear on a wider scale in due time. Ulmer Nest's website tracks the project's stages of development, from its moodboard and prototype through to the choice of materials, software, and technical data. It also explains the safety and cleaning aspects of the pods.

The designer of the pods, Flaco Pross, spoke to the Daily Mail about how the system works. He explained that people who use the sleeping capsules do not need to fill in any paperwork or register in order to check-in for the night. Furthermore, there are no cameras inside, which gives privacy to the occupants and allows for anonymity. 

The rollout of the capsules arrived later than scheduled this winter, but they are available now for the coldest months of January and February. Pross added that another positive aspect of the pods is that they will allow charities to begin and maintain contact with the local homeless population and further provide them with help.

It's an innovative solution to an ongoing problem and with more developments, it could become a major help in solving the issue of homeless deaths due to cold weather. Ulmer Nest will be extended to other parts of Germany, before going Europe-wide. If it proves to truly make a difference, it probably won't be long before we'll start seeing these futuristic capsules all over the world.

Similarly in Portland, Oregon, about 100 sleeping pods were put up in outdoor homeless shelters in December, where they replaced tents that had previously been there. The pods there were shaped a little differently than Ulmer Nest's version, appearing as small huts, with each featuring windows, a bed, shelving, electricity, and heating. The pods were bought by the Multnomah County Joint Office of Homeless Services with money they'd received from the CARES Act, with all 100 amounting to a rough total of $700,000.

As with Ulmer Nest, the organization knows it's not a permanent solution, but it is an important one that can provide temporary support and ultimately save lives. The organization's director of homeless services, Marc Jolin, spoke to KTVZ.com, telling them:

"They provide safety, protection from the elements, and a good place to be on a short-term basis...Our goal, as with every shelter program, is folks have access to this. It's safety off the streets. It's an opportunity to stabilize and work on moving from there onto an apartment and a home of their own, ultimately."

The fact that similar pod-like solutions are being offered in both Germany and the United States speaks to the universality of homelessness and the forward-thinking ways that nonprofits are attempting to solve the problem. For now, the pods should be able to save lives in extreme winters, but perhaps they will lead teams to find even more intuitive ways to help the homeless population and make an even bigger impact globally.

What do you think of these space-like pods? Have you ever seen anything like them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, then be sure to pass this on to those you know to spread the word!