WHAT IS HOMEPODY®?
Homepody® is an affordable, emergency accommodation solution that is safe, cost effective and built for purpose; providing people a basic human right, a home. Homepody® provides low cost, fully self-contained modular units with a capped accommodation fee and free electricity, free wifi and free laundry facilities for all guests, for the continual improvement of their living conditions.
WHAT MAKES HOMEPODY® DIFFERENT?
We know from our years supporting those sleeping rough in various communities around Australia, that where there is affordability stress, business stress is also found and this means closures and vacant buildings.
Homepody® will utilise these spaces, by renting vacant shops and warehouses and installing Homepody Estates of 10 or more within; this has a twofold effect; providing transitional housing and revitalise high street areas within the community.
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Homepody® units are built modular, using a system of panels to create a built for purpose living space, adaptable for singles, couples and families.
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Due to the unique ‘flat pack’ design, a full Homepody Estate of up to 20 units can be shipped on a truck to any location within Australia, then assembled on site, plugged into power and water, and they are ready to move into.
And should the community improve to a point that Homepody® is no longer required, we can easily disassemble each unit, pack onto a truck and move to another area that needs an affordable housing solution.
MODULAR
Homepody accommodation units are built for purpose.
A connecting panel design allows us to reduce or expand a Homepody® unit to suit single, double or family unit occupants.
IN-HOUSE
Building everything in-house is one of the most important elements to making Homepody® a viable solution.
We can design, build, ship and install everything ourselves. No third party delays or inflated costs.
SCALABLE
If we can’t scale, then it's not a viable solution.
By incorporating our modular and in-house construction, we have the ability to scale at our own pace.
MODULAR OPTIONS
MODULAR SINGLE
This single Homepody® unit offers everything one person needs to live comfortably while they save, study or just get back on their feet. Featuring an ensuite, kitchenette, King single bed and storage options.
MODULAR DOUBLE
This Double Homepody® unit expands by one panel to increase the living space for a couple. Featuring an ensuite, kitchenette, twin-king single beds and storage options.
MODULAR FAMILY
The largest Homepody® unit expands to include a bedroom space for kids to accommodate a family unit. This extra, private space features a king single or a bunk bed configuration, plus the usual ensuite, kitchenette, twin-king single beds and storage options.
A PROFITABLE NOT FOR PROFIT
The key to making a transitional accommodation project like this work is to NOT rely on Government funding; we need to be self sufficient.
Becoming self sufficient means we can scale faster and not have to worry about the 'next round of funding' to continue our work and growth.
1) CHARTABLE DONATIONS:
As a registered charity, we will continue to accept public donations, grants and sponsorships. These funds will be used to fund builds, running the organisation and potential subsidisation opportunities for guests.
2) GUEST FEES
Our Guests pay a capped accommodation fee and in return they receive; Homepody Unit, free laundry facilities, and free wifi, power and water.
There is also an option for the accommodation fee to be reduced via Charitable subsidies/ sponsorship by Donors/Sponsors. Guests may stay with Homepody for up to 24 months.
3) INVESTMENT
There may be an opportunity for outside investors to 'purchase' the investment rights to a Homepody unit (or multiple) for a % return of the accommodation fee. This option will further allow for rapid expansion and self sufficiency.
NOT FOR HOMELESS
Homepody is not for homeless people, it is purely designed to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place and to allow them to save for a better quality of life. It’s a basic human right and we want to ensure that right is a viable option.
While Homepody is not a free service, and would require Guests to be able to cover their accommodation fees, we will reserve 30% of any Homepody Estate; whereby local homeless agencies would cover the fees for each Homepody unit they reserved, then manage that unit and allocate to any person they feel suitable.
THE INSPIRATION BEHIND HOMEPODY®
THE HOW
Just like sleepbus®, emergency accommodation wasn’t on my radar before 2015, neither was transitional accommodation, until right now in 2023. That said, safe sleeps are at the heart of everything we do.
Recently I was invited to give a TED Talk, and while writing what I hope would be a worthy speech of such a platform, something happened… a solution for transitional housing flowed onto the notepad beside me. Homepody®.
THE WHY
My ‘why’ is still the same today as it was when I developed sleepbus…people deserve better than we are currently doing and I think I might be able to help.
For me, I believe that once a person feels like they can help another, then you are immediately obligated to try. So this is me having a crack!
BASIC HUMAN RIGHT
sleepbus® shouldn’t exist and I am actively trying to bring about its demise. Sounds a bit strange coming from a charity founder, but it is the truth. We can do better than we are currently doing for our society.
Lets take a look at two words Homelessness and Home; Homelessness is defined as: the state of having no home.
Home then is defined as; the place where one lives permanently.
I don’t like either of those definitions when it comes to describing someone without a home or on the streets. The definition of home can mean living permanently in a house, unit, tent, car, shed, in the scrub... I’m not knocking the definition, i just don’t like the words for this situation.
The human rights commission states that Everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living including, adequate food, water and housing and to the continuous improvement of living conditions.
Adequate standard of living. I like those words much better.
Its a Basic. Human. Right.
Together we can do something about it.
DO YOU BELIEVE?
sleep changes everything
Donate here if you want to specifically support and follow our Homepody Estate Trial.
