PHOENIX — Converted shipping containers in Phoenix are providing shelter for those in need.
Four 40-foot steel containers have been outfitted with solar power and central air conditioning to house up to 20 people in private rooms. The "XWing shelter unit," which is shaped like an "X," is located at the St. Vincent de Paul Washington Relief Center near 28th and Washington streets.
Each room is five feet by eight feet, and those who reside there have access to Washington Relief Center resources, including bathrooms, showers, meals, laundry, security, workforce development, companion animal support, and more.
"I think the X-Wings provide a really dignified human sustainable solution to this issue," Phoenix Vice-Mayor Yassamin Ansari said.
According to Mark Loewenthal, an architect with Steel and Spark, the company converting the containers into shelter units, the units are solar-powered and portable.
"We're completely off the grid in these buildings. They can go anywhere and get dropped off in any lot. We don't need utility hookups," said Loewenthal.
There is no time limit on how long residents can stay in the container shelters. Jessica Berg, the chief program officer for St. Vincent De Paul, who is partnering with the city to provide wrap-around social services says this is just one step on the road to independence.
"Most of the folks who come to us are coming directly from the street. They're very vulnerable. They need time and space and support to deal from that trauma," said Berg.
The first residents will move in by the weekend.
The City of Phoenix says it plans to add 900 new shelter beds in 2023 and 2024. Nearly 600 new shelter beds were added in 2022. For more information on Phoenix's Office of Homeless Solutions, click here.
ABC15 first reported on the shipping container conversions last year. In 2022, a city spokesperson said the units would provide shelter for 80 people and be part of a congregate site for 200 others.
