Category: Cities

California Cites can now purchase Emergency Cabins from BOSS (Built On Site Systems) without going through a lengthy RFP process.

June 27, 2024 Montebello, California— BOSS (Built On Site Systems), the technology leader in dignified housing to address homelessness, has been awarded a California Department of General Services (DGS) Statewide Contract for emergency sleeping cabins. Local agencies and cities can now skip the lengthy RFP process and simply write a purchase order to build safe and cost-effective housing for homeless individuals in their communities.

The California Department of General Services (DGS) launched a statewide procurement contract for emergency sleeping cabins. BOSS Cubez is one of a very few select vendors awarded a contract. Since the CA statewide DGS contract has already gone through the RFP process, local agencies can skip all these steps, which typically require months of effort, and simply write a Purchase Order to the awarded vendor.

As one of the DGS-approved vendors, BOSS offers a complete, cost-effective interim housing solution for cities & municipalities. The company’s product line–BOSS Cubez–includes housing for singles, couples, and families, ensuite units with bathrooms, duplexes, and showers. BOSS has over 48 approved Cubez on the list. The Cubez are comfortable, attractive, easy to install, and offer the best price available, often with substantial savings over other vendors.

Viken Ohanesian, President and CEO of BOSS states, “We are very pleased that BOSS has been approved by the California DGS. “BOSS Cubez are the least expensive yet most durable structures being offered at a substantial price savings over other vendors. Built with steel, these homes and buildings are warranted with a 3-year and non-combustible units for fire safety.  

In addition to being California DGS approved, the Cubez meet all the California Building Code 2022 Appendix P Requirements. Each of the Boss Cubez comes with a complete set of permit plans meeting the CBC Appendix P requirements that allow the local AHJs to quickly review and approve local communities.

About BOSS Technology

Built On Site Systems (BOSS) is an LA-based company focused on bringing the construction industry into the new age. The BOSS technology combines the benefits of factory manufacturing with on-site assembly, significantly reducing the construction time and costs required in traditional methods. BOSS produces ready panels at mass scale and delivers them directly to the job site where they are rapidly assembled like lego blocks, saving time and money.

All BOSS Cubez are safe, comfortable, attractive, and easy to install, providing dignified living for unhoused individuals. In addition, they are cost-effective and flexible, allowing temporary placement of housing where land is available, and exit strategies to enable them to be moved to other locations.

For more information or to purchase BOSS Cubez for your community, please contact: Kris Van Giesen at krisvg@bosscubez.com, or visit the State Procurement site.

Media Contact
Catherine Green
(503) 209-3905

Locally built, interim supportive housing provides many benefits to communities and cities by addressing the immediate needs of people experiencing homelessness while also fostering long-term stability and growth. These benefits can help individuals, families as well as the communities where they reside. 

Read on for some of the many ways supportive temporary housing helps local communities:

1. Addressing Homelessness

• Immediate Shelter: Temporary housing can provide on demand shelter to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, providing a safe and comfortable place to stay.
• Transition to Permanent Housing: These communities can include support, training, and counseling, helping individuals transition from temporary homes to more permanent living situations.

2. Improving Public Health

• Access to Health Services: Supportive housing can include access to essential health services, including mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and medical care. These wrap-around services are key to assisting in the transition to more permanent housing.
• Reduced Need for Emergency Services: By providing stable housing, the reliance on emergency services, such as hospital emergency rooms and crisis intervention, is in a better position to be reduced.

3. Empowering Residents

• Life Skills & Job Skills Training: Supportive housing often includes life skills training, such as financial literacy, cooking, and time management. 
• Community Engagement: Residents are encouraged to participate in community activities and decision-making processes, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.

4. Employment  Benefits

• Job Training and Employment: Supportive housing programs typically include job training and employment services, helping residents gain skills and find employment. In addition, job skills training can help people navigate the complex steps to finding and keeping a job, so residents can live independently.

5. Educational Stability

• Consistent School Attendance: Children in supportive housing are more likely to attend school consistently, leading to better educational outcomes and long-term benefits.
• Parental Support: Parents in stable housing are better able to support their children’s education and well-being, contributing to the overall development of the community’s youth.

6. Social Services Integration

• Comprehensive Support: Supportive housing programs often integrate a variety of social services, such as counseling, case management, and life skills training, which help residents achieve greater independence and self-sufficiency.
• Community Partnerships: These programs often involve partnerships with local organizations, fostering a network of support and resources within the community.

7. Providing Safe Spaces for the Underserved

• Support for Underserved Individuals: Providing stable housing to individuals such as those from underserved communities such as the formerly incarcerated, domestic violence survivors and foster youth reduces the likelihood of them having to return to unhealthy environments.
• Reducing Homelessness Among Veterans: Targeted supportive housing for veterans helps address the unique challenges they face, reducing homelessness and promoting stability.

8. Mental Health and Well-being

• Mental Health Services: Access to mental health services within supportive housing programs helps residents manage conditions that might otherwise lead to instability or homelessness.
• Community Support: The social support network within these housing programs promotes mental well-being and reduces feelings of isolation.

9. Preventing Family Separation

• Keeping Families Together: Temporary supportive housing can prevent the separation of families during times of crisis, ensuring that children remain with their parents in a stable environment.
• Parental Support Programs: Programs that support parents in maintaining custody of their children, through parenting classes and support groups, contribute to stronger family units.

Conclusion

Supportive temporary housing offers numerous benefits to local communities by addressing immediate needs and providing pathways to stability and self-sufficiency. By reducing homelessness, improving public health, enhancing safety, and fostering economic and educational stability, supportive housing programs play a vital role in building stronger, more resilient communities.

About BOSS Cubez

BOSS (Built on Site Systems) has complete solutions for cities, municipalities, and/or nonprofits looking to build interim housing. Our emergency cabins are safe, comfortable, attractive, easy to install, and approved by the California Department of General Services (DGS), providing dignified living for unhoused individuals.

For cities looking to address the issue of homelessness, Interim Supportive Housing Communities can be a crucial step toward permanent housing for vulnerable individuals and families.

There are three important questions to consider when first looking to build interim supportive housing:

1. Do you have land available?

2. Do you have funding sources?

3. Do you have support from the city and local constituents?

By addressing these questions early, cities can greatly improve outcomes, reduce implementation time, and help ensure community support.

In this post, we look at the steps required to initiate an Interim Housing Community, focusing first on the elements needed to jumpstart the process.  

Do You Have Land Available?

Finding the right spot for the community is paramount. Here are some areas to consider when looking for the best location to begin development.

1. Look for Available Land and Flexible Locations: Identify suitable locations or existing facilities where temporary housing can be established. This could include vacant spaces, community parking lots, or unused land. Locations that are already zoned for future builds are great places to build temporary housing. It is a win-win in that there is an immediate use for undeveloped property, and there is a strategic exit strategy for when the community will transition to other uses.
2. Choose Housing Options that Work for Your Time Frame: For example, BOSS Cubez housing solutions can be temporary or permanent. Temporary Cubez that meet California Building Code Appendix P for temporary emergency housing can be set up on any lot for a short period of time (i.e. several years) and then moved to another location. Permanent Cubez can be built for the long term as they are designed to meet California Building Codes. 
3. Review Zoning and Regulations: Ensure that the chosen location complies with local zoning regulations and land-use policies. In some cases, cities may need to amend zoning laws to allow for temporary housing in specific areas.

Do you Have Funding Sources?

Funding is the second key component of building a temporary community, one that requires planning and collaboration.

4. Find Funding Resources: Identify funding sources to cover the costs of setting up and maintaining temporary housing. This may include government grants, private donations, and collaboration with philanthropic organizations. Other options include local banks that may have funding available for communities as well as a local community fundraising office.
5. Consider Funding Partnerships: Partnering with nonprofit service providers and/or other cities is one way to share resources and bring in the necessary funds to build and support the community. In addition, there are many local nonprofits focused on housing and aiding the homeless, focusing on their local communities.
6. Think about Strategies and Permanent Housing Solutions: Plan for the transition of individuals from temporary housing to more permanent solutions. Work on developing affordable housing options and supportive services to facilitate this transition.

Do you have City and Local Support?

Finally, make sure you have engaged with all the important stakeholders in the project by reaching out to them for input, support, and approval. 

7. Communicate with City Councils and Mayors: Every city is concerned with homelessness, and council members and mayors are the key people who can get behind the initiatives. They can often be the driving force behind final approvals on the project and are very important to engage early and often.
8. Engage with the Community: Communicate openly with the community about the temporary housing initiative. Try to address concerns, clear up misconceptions, and involve residents in the decision-making process. 
9. Provide Education and Awareness Campaigns: Conduct education and awareness campaigns to inform the public about the purpose and benefits of temporary housing. Dispelling myths and fostering understanding within the community are important steps.

Once you have land and funding, and have initiated community support, you are well on the way to getting the go-ahead for the project. The next important step will be developing the infrastructure for the houses and community structures as well as the supportive services provided. We will cover these in the next post.

BOSS Cubez is proud to have partnered with DignityMoves on the development of the Hope Village Interim Supportive Community in Santa Maria, California!

Last weekend, BOSS Cubez joined the DignityMoves team for the Grand Opening of this community, which aims to provide dignified and safe interim housing for unhoused individuals.

BOSS Cubez provided 86 high-quality rooms as well as a clinic, office and meeting space, and a dining room. Our units are safe, easy to install, and flexible, providing opportunities for unhoused people to live comfortably, including with their pets.

We are thrilled to have worked with DignityMoves to make the Hope Village community possible. Congratulations on a wonderful Grand Opening!