These Self-Contained Living Pods Could be The Solution to California’s Housing Problem

It goes without saying that many American cities are becoming too expensive for the average American worker to live and California’s cities are on the top of the list of least affordable cities to live. A local startup known as Brownstone Shared Housing has set out to offer a solution to America’s housing problem by providing self-contained living pods for $800 per month. These tiny living pods will be crammed into houses providing a comfortable sleeping space for those who can afford its monthly rent. While the cost may seem exorbitant, it’s by no means anywhere near the cost of renting a Studio apartment in San Francisco which can run as high as $2,400 per month.

These tiny pods are not exactly self-contained in that occupants will be sharing the space with 13 other pod occupants in a home with shared living spaces. The arrangement of the pods one on top of each other may be a turn-off for some who may perceive the arrangement as being similar to a prison environment. However, for the millions of low-income California residents seeking a place to rest their heads, these pods are a welcomed solution if only the price itself could be lower.

The company pioneering these living pods claims that they are the future of shared housing in many big cities not only in the United States but across the world. For example, in China tiny living pods are widely employed in most major Chinese urban centers where finding affordable housing is a major problem.

Each pod features 40% more space than bunk beds and are equipped with WiFi and electrical outlets. While these pods are somewhat affordable by California standards, they are certainly not for everyone but once again for those sleeping in their cars and trucks who can afford an $800 per month bill for a tiny space suitable only for a bed it would be a temporary solution until better times comes around.