Seniors getting ready to move into alternative housing units in Cambridge

Six seniors will be moving into one-bedroom units made from shipping containers in less than a week. The alternative housing units are on Bechtel Street in Cambridge.

In a virtual announcement, Regional Chair Karen Redman noted, at the same time, affordable housing is still an ongoing concern. The six housing units on Bechtel are the “perfect” example of the community's growing need for alternative housing. 

“These new homes on Bechtel are modular homes made from shipping containers that have been converted into six homes for seniors that are approaching 480 square feet. We know alternative homes are energy and cost-effective.” Redman said.

“When you hear shipping container, you think of dark and kind of hollow and potentially a steel frame. But I couldn't have been more impressed,” said Cambridge Mayor Kathryn McGarry. “When I first entered the unit, all I could think was this couldn't be a shipping container. It had all the comforts of home. It's beautifully finished from the granite countertops, to the washer dryer. It's very space-efficient.”

McGarry adds that the residents living in this community will feel more at home.

“I think it is important for people that are living next door to each other to get to know each other. Many individuals who move into affordable housing have either been in fragmented housing or couch surfing. Once they are in their units, that's when neighbours can start looking out for each other.”

The construction and permit process for homes like these takes about 12 months to complete, from start to finish. 

March 1 is the move-in date, and seniors are asked to pay what they can afford. 

The project is part of the region's affordable housing plan, with the goal being to create 2,500 new affordable housing units in the next five years.