Micro-Shelter Build Guides
These guides focus on small, movable structures you can build with basic tools and reclaimed materials. All designs prioritize safety, weather protection, and the reality that you might need to relocate.
🏠 Basic 6×8 Pallet Shelter
Beginner 2-3 days Hand tools OK
Size: 6 feet × 8 feet (48 sq ft)
Cost: $50-150 if scrounging materials
Skill level: Beginner with supervision
Materials Needed
- 10-12 standard pallets (48" × 40") - free from stores, warehouses
- Tarp or corrugated metal sheets for roof (8' × 10' minimum)
- 50-100 wood screws (3" deck screws work well)
- Basic hand tools: hammer, saw, drill or screwdriver
- Optional: 2×4 lumber for framing reinforcement
- Door hinges and latch (can salvage from old furniture)
Step-by-Step Build Process
- Foundation: Lay 4 pallets flat on level ground. Use concrete blocks if ground is uneven. This keeps you off wet ground.
- Wall frames: Stand pallets on edge for walls. Connect corners with screws or wire. Front wall needs a 3' opening for door.
- Roof frame: Lay 2 pallets across the top. Add a slight slope (6" drop from front to back) for water runoff.
- Weather protection: Staple tarp over roof and upper walls. Overlap seams. If using metal, secure with screws every 12".
- Door: Use a full pallet or make frame from scrap wood. Attach with hinges. Add simple latch.
- Ventilation: Leave gaps near roof line or cut vent holes. Prevents condensation and carbon monoxide if using heat.
Safety Notes
- ⚠ Fire safety: Never use open flames inside. Keep any heat source 2+ feet from walls.
- ⚠ Ventilation: Must have airflow to prevent dangerous CO buildup and moisture.
- ⚠ Structural: This is NOT a permanent dwelling. High winds can damage it. Secure with stakes or weights.
- ⚠ Legal: Check local laws. Most cities prohibit unpermitted structures. This is emergency shelter only.
🏠 Insulated 8×10 Shelter
Intermediate 1-2 weeks Power tools helpful
Size: 8 feet × 10 feet (80 sq ft)
Cost: $200-400 with scavenged materials
Skill level: Intermediate - some construction experience needed
Key Improvements Over Basic
- Insulated walls using cardboard, foam board, or fiberglass (from ReStore)
- Proper plywood roof instead of just tarp
- Small window for light and emergency exit
- Raised floor to prevent moisture and provide storage underneath
- More durable construction suitable for months of use
Where to Find Materials
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Discounted lumber, windows, doors, insulation
- Construction sites: Ask permission for scrap wood, damaged materials
- Craigslist free section: People giving away building materials
- Pallet yards: Many give away broken/damaged pallets for free
- Roofing companies: Leftover shingles, damaged metal roofing
📋 Essential Tool List
You don't need much to start. Here's what actually matters:
Minimum Tools (Can build basic shelter)
- Hammer or hatchet
- Hand saw or hacksaw
- Screwdriver (or use screws as nails)
- Measuring tape or string for measuring
- Utility knife
Recommended Additions
- Cordless drill (battery-powered) - makes everything faster
- Level (or use smartphone app)
- Pry bar for dismantling pallets
- Wire cutters and pliers
- Safety glasses and work gloves
⚖️ Legal Considerations by State
These micro-shelters exist in a legal gray area. Here's what you need to know:
| State |
Tiny House Rules |
Notes |
| California |
ADUs allowed statewide |
Many cities allow 120-400 sq ft structures. Fresno first to allow THOW. |
| Oregon |
Very tiny-friendly |
Portland allows tiny homes on wheels in all residential zones. |
| Texas |
Varies by county |
Generally lenient. Rural areas more flexible than cities. |
| Colorado |
Some cities adopt Appendix Q |
Denver and Boulder have warming shelter programs. |
| Washington |
ADUs permitted most zones |
Seattle has Safe Rest Villages program. |
⚠ Critical: These micro-shelters typically DON'T meet building codes for permanent housing. They're emergency shelter. Work with local organizations to find legal placement options.
🚨 Emergency Resources - Get Help Now
If you need immediate shelter, food, or are in crisis, these resources are available 24/7.
National Hotlines - Available 24/7
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text: 988
24/7 crisis support, trained counselors
HUD Housing Assistance
Visit: HUDExchange.info
Find shelters, housing counselors, emergency assistance
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
Confidential support, safety planning, referrals
Substance Abuse Helpline (SAMHSA)
1-800-662-4357
Treatment referrals, support services
Veterans Crisis Line
Call 988, then press 1
Specialized support for veterans and families
211 - Community Resources
Dial 211 or text your ZIP to 898-211
Local shelters, food banks, rent assistance, medical care
🍲 Food & Basic Needs
Food Banks & Pantries
Feeding America: Visit feedingamerica.org to find local food banks. Most don't require ID or proof of address.
SNAP Benefits: Apply for food stamps at your state's SNAP website. Emergency SNAP can be processed in 7 days.
Meal Programs
Churches & Nonprofits: Many offer free hot meals. Call 211 for local schedules.
Salvation Army: Free meals at most locations, no questions asked.
Hygiene Facilities
Gym memberships: Planet Fitness ($10/month) has showers, restrooms.
Truck stops: Many have pay showers ($12-15).
Public libraries: Restrooms, water, charging stations, internet access.
🏥 Healthcare Access
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC): Sliding-scale medical care. Find at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
- Health Care for the Homeless programs: Medical, dental, mental health services specifically for people experiencing homelessness
- Free & low-cost clinics: Search "free clinic [your city]" or call 211
- Emergency Medicaid: Coverage for emergency services even without full Medicaid enrollment
- Prescription assistance: NeedyMeds.org helps find free/low-cost medications
❄️ Weather Emergency Resources
Extreme weather can be deadly. Know these resources:
Cold Weather
- Warming centers: Cities open emergency shelters when temps drop below freezing. Call 211 or check city websites.
- 24-hour spaces: Hospital ERs, all-night diners, 24-hour gyms, Walmart stores (varies by location)
- Free winter gear: Salvation Army, churches, One Warm Coat (onewarmcoat.org)
- Signs of hypothermia: Confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness. Get to ER immediately.
Extreme Heat
- Cooling centers: Libraries, malls, community centers open as cooling centers during heat waves
- Water sources: Public fountains, ask at restaurants, emergency rooms
- Heat exhaustion signs: Heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, headache. Get to cool place, drink water.
- Heat stroke (emergency): Hot dry skin, confusion, loss of consciousness. Call 911 immediately.
💼 Path to Employment & Housing
- Job Corps: Free job training + housing for ages 16-24. jobcorps.gov
- Goodwill Career Centers: Free job training, resume help, interview clothes
- Day labor: Labor Ready, PeopleReady - same-day work, daily pay
- Housing First programs: Get housing FIRST, then support services. Many cities have these now.
- Rapid Re-Housing: Short-term rent assistance to get you into an apartment quickly
- Section 8 / Housing Choice Vouchers: Federal rent assistance. Long waitlists but worth applying.
For Organizations & Partners
Churches, nonprofits, landowners, and municipalities: here's how you can support dignified micro-shelter solutions and connect people with pathways to stability.
🏘️ Micro-Shelter Village Models
Across the US, cities and nonprofits are establishing sanctioned tiny house villages that provide immediate shelter plus case management services. These models work:
Community First! Village (Austin, TX)
Model: 51-acre master-planned community with 250+ micro-homes (under 400 sq ft)
Services: Permanent supportive housing with on-site case management, medical care, job training
Results: Houses over 400 formerly homeless residents. Residents can work on-site or in community
Cost: $10,000-15,000 per unit to build
Key insight: Giving people stable micro-housing FIRST, then layering services, works better than requiring sobriety/services before housing.
Dignity Village (Portland, OR)
Model: Resident-managed transitional housing community since 2000
Structure: Self-governed with elected council, work requirements, code of conduct
Housing: Mix of tiny houses and modified shelters on city-leased land
Success factors: Resident buy-in, democratic governance, low barrier to entry
Second Wind Cottages (Newfield, NY)
Model: 32 tiny homes (250 sq ft) for veterans
Services: Veterans Affairs partnership, mental health support, job placement
Cost: $18,000 per unit including land prep and utilities
📋 How to Start a Micro-Shelter Program
Step 1: Secure Land & Permissions
- Church land: Many churches have unused land and strong community support
- Municipal partnership: Work with city to get temporary use permits for city-owned land
- Private donation: Landowners can donate land use (may qualify for tax benefits)
- Zoning variance: Apply for temporary or permanent zoning changes. Cite emergency need.
Step 2: Build Support & Funding
- Community meetings: Address NIMBY concerns early with data on reduced costs vs. shelters
- Grant sources: HUD Continuum of Care, local foundations, corporate partnerships
- Faith communities: Churches, synagogues, mosques often have construction volunteers
- Build partners: Habitat for Humanity, AmeriCorps, local trade schools
Step 3: Services Integration
- Case management: Partner with existing homeless services for on-site support
- Mental health: Mobile crisis teams, peer support specialists
- Healthcare: Partner with FQHC or Health Care for the Homeless
- Job training: Residents can learn construction skills building their own shelters
- Mail address: Critical for job applications, IDs, benefits. Consider using org address.
Step 4: Operational Model
- Self-governance: Resident councils and peer accountability work better than top-down rules
- Low-barrier entry: Don't require sobriety or service participation upfront (Housing First approach)
- Exit planning: From day one, work on pathway to permanent housing
- Safety protocols: Clear policies on violence, weapons, guest rules
💰 Cost Comparison: Shelters vs. Micro-Housing
| Housing Type |
Cost per Person/Year |
Privacy |
Effectiveness |
| Emergency Shelter Bed |
$12,000 - $40,000 |
None (dorm style) |
Low retention, high turnover |
| Transitional Housing |
$15,000 - $25,000 |
Shared room |
Moderate, time limits |
| Micro-Shelter Village |
$8,000 - $15,000 |
Private unit |
High retention, faster exit to housing |
| Permanent Supportive Housing |
$20,000 - $40,000 |
Private apartment |
Best outcomes, but limited availability |
Key finding: Micro-shelters cost less than traditional shelters while providing privacy and dignity. This speeds transition to permanent housing.
🤝 For Employers: Hiring People Experiencing Homelessness
People with shelter-building experience have valuable skills. Here's how to make hiring work:
Practical Accommodations
- Address barriers: Offer mail address for job applications, allow flexible start dates
- Transportation: Near public transit, or help with bus passes/bike
- Uniforms: Provide work clothes if needed
- Pay schedule: Consider daily or weekly pay for first month (not waiting 2 weeks helps)
Skills Translation
People who've built their own shelters have demonstrated:
- Problem-solving under resource constraints
- Basic carpentry, framing, roofing skills
- Project completion despite obstacles
- Ability to work independently
Support Programs
- Federal Bonding Program: Free insurance for at-risk hires (bonds.org)
- Work Opportunity Tax Credit: Up to $9,600 tax credit per qualified hire
- Supported employment programs: Job coaches help with transition
📞 Partnership Inquiries
This is an open-source project. You're free to:
- Use these designs and resources for your own programs
- Modify and adapt for your local context
- Share with other organizations
- Connect people in your community to these resources
We encourage local organizations to fork this concept and make it their own. If you launch a micro-shelter program using these ideas, consider documenting your experience to help others.
Additional Resources & Learning
Deeper information on tiny house regulations, sustainable living, and the broader housing justice movement.
📚 Essential Reading
Tiny House Regulations
American Tiny House Association: State-by-state guide to tiny house laws and zoning
Tiny House Build: Code requirements, foundation options, utility hookups
Housing First Research
National Alliance to End Homelessness: Evidence base for Housing First approach
SAMHSA resources: Integration of housing and health services
Community Organizing
National Homelessness Law Center: Know your rights, fight criminalization
Coalition on Homelessness: Advocacy training, policy change
🛠️ Skills & Training
Free Online Construction Training
- YouTube channels: Essential Craftsman, Home RenoVision DIY, See Jane Drill
- Habitat for Humanity: Free volunteer training days (you learn while building)
- Local vocational programs: Many offer free carpentry basics
- Home Depot workshops: Free in-store workshops on basic skills
Certifications That Help
- OSHA 10: Basic construction safety (required for many jobs) - $25-50 online
- Forklift certification: Opens warehouse jobs - often free through WorkSource
- First Aid/CPR: Red Cross offers low-cost classes
🌍 The Bigger Picture
Micro-shelters are a short-term solution. The real solutions are systemic:
What Actually Ends Homelessness
- Affordable housing supply: We need more housing at all income levels
- Living wages: Minimum wage hasn't kept pace with housing costs
- Healthcare access: Mental health and addiction treatment must be available
- Safety net strengthening: Unemployment insurance, rental assistance, SNAP
- Eviction prevention: Legal aid, mediation, emergency rent funds
Policy Changes That Help
- Zoning reform: Allow ADUs, reduce parking requirements, legalize tiny homes
- Decriminalization: Stop arresting people for sleeping outside
- Right to rest: Legal protections for basic survival activities
- Housing trust funds: Dedicated public funding for affordable housing
- Rent control: Prevent displacement through rapid rent increases
🏛️ Know Your Rights
Basic legal protections (varies by location):
- Right to shelter in some cities: NYC, DC, and Massachusetts guarantee shelter
- Protection of belongings: Police must give notice before seizing your property in most places
- Voting rights: You can vote even without a fixed address (use shelter/service address)
- Access to public spaces: Libraries, parks, transit stations are public accommodations
- Emergency medical care: ERs must treat you regardless of ability to pay (EMTALA)
- School access for kids: McKinney-Vento Act ensures homeless kids can attend school
Legal help: Call your local Legal Aid office or visit lawhelp.org to find free legal services in your area.
📖 Download & Print Resources
All resources on this site are free to use, modify, and distribute. Consider making these available offline:
- Print build guides as pocket-sized pamphlets
- Save emergency hotline lists offline on your phone
- Screenshot materials lists for shopping trips
- Share PDFs at libraries, shelters, and community centers
This entire website is open source. Organizations are encouraged to adapt it for local use, translate it, or embed sections in their own resources.
