How It Works
BOSS Built On Site Systems (BOSS), a California-based leader in modular and panelized housing, today announced the launch of the BOSS Civic Infrastructure Blueprint to End Homelessness — a systems-driven framework and turnkey delivery program enabling cities to deliver interim housing rapidly, affordably, and at scale.
With nearly 1,000 cubes delivered, BOSS is mobilizing California’s cities to treat interim housing as core civic infrastructure – as essential as hospitals, fire stations, and schools.
“California cannot solve homelessness without infrastructure,” said Viken Ohanesian, CEO of BOSS.
“Every city must have the capacity to provide safe, dignified interim housing that stabilizes lives while permanent housing is being built. BOSS has created the system — and now we’re inviting cities and partners to build it together.”
Permanent supportive housing remains vital, but the economics and timelines are prohibitive. With per-unit costs often exceeding $750,000 and delivery cycles measured in years, California’s 180,000 unhoused residents — 120,000 of them unsheltered — need a faster bridge to stability.
The BOSS Civic Infrastructure Blueprint to End Homelessness provides that bridge:
- Rapid Deployment: Complete communities delivered and occupied in as little as six months.
- Cost Efficiency: $60,000 – $80,000 per room including site work, depending on site conditions and infrastructure requirements.
- Turnkey Delivery: From design and modular manufacturing to utilities and installation — BOSS partners with cities, local architects, contractors, developers, and public works departments to build out the sites efficiently.
- Civic Infrastructure Blueprint: A replicable roadmap detailing land identification, funding structures, permitting pathways, stakeholder engagement, and operational partnerships.
Each BOSS community includes private, climate-controlled rooms, shared amenities, and offices for healthcare, case management, and employment services. Residents regain stability and self-sufficiency while cities reduce public-system costs and improve neighborhood safety.
“This is not a pilot. This is permanent civic capacity,” Ohanesian added. “BOSS is helping California build the infrastructure to achieve Functional Zero — where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring.”
For more information or to access the BOSS Civic Infrastructure Blueprint to End Homelessness, visit www.builtonsitesystems.com/cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Civic Infrastructure?
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Why position interim housing as infrastructure?
Because homelessness is a systems challenge, not an isolated social issue. Treating interim housing as civic infrastructure ensures every city can respond predictably, protect residents, and stabilize neighborhoods.
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Why start in California?
California has over 180,000 people experiencing homelessness, about 68 percent unsheltered — the largest concentration in the nation. Building civic infrastructure here will demonstrate a model scalable statewide and beyond.
Blueprint + Turnkey Delivery System
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What exactly is the BOSS Civic Infrastructure Blueprint?
It’s both a roadmap and a delivery engine. The Blueprint outlines the full process – land identification, funding, permitting, stakeholder alignment, and service integration – while the BOSS team and its partners execute manufacturing, logistics, and commissioning.
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How is this different from other “playbooks” or “guides”?
Many describe what should happen; BOSS delivers it. Nearly 1,000 cubes are already operational. Our system is field-tested, compliant, and ready for immediate replication.
Land & Site Selection
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What land can be used for interim housing?
Vacant lots, surplus public land, or underutilized private parcels. BOSS helps cities evaluate candidates using data tools and zoning analysis to identify viable parcels quickly.
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How large should a site be?
About 0.4 – 0.6 acres supports 80 – 120 residents efficiently. Sites with good utility access and level topography yield the best cost and schedule performance.
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How long should land be available?
Ideally five years or longer to amortize setup costs and provide continuity of services.
Permitting & Codes
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How does BOSS accelerate approvals?
We use California’s Appendix P emergency housing code, AB-101 “by-right” Low Barrier Navigation Center provisions, and Shelter Crisis Declarations. Early coordination with Fire, Building, and Planning Departments ensures clear code pathways and predictable timelines.
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What about safety and compliance?
All units meet California Building and Fire Codes. BOSS coordinates directly with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to finalize spacing and egress strategies before fabrication begins.
Funding & Cost
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What is the cost range?
Typical total cost per room — including design, units, and site work — ranges from $60,000 to $80,000, depending on site complexity, prevailing wage requirements, and utility connections.
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How are projects funded?
BOSS helps cities braid funding from multiple sources: • State programs — Homekey, HHAP, CalAIM, and BHCIP • Federal programs — HUD CoC grants, ESG, VA support • Healthcare and philanthropy — hospitals investing in “housing as healthcare,” foundations, and corporate partners. BOSS also collaborates with cities and partners to identify supplemental funding opportunities through local agencies, nonprofits, and private donors.
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How are operating costs covered?
Through contracts with service providers, healthcare reimbursements, and multi-year local or state funding streams.
Delivery & Operations
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How long from concept to occupancy?
Most communities achieve occupancy within six months of project initiation.
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What makes the BOSS system turnkey?
BOSS manages the design, engineering, manufacturing, logistics, and installation phases, partnering with each city’s preferred architects, contractors, or public works departments to build out the site. BOSS is a certified vendor under the California Department of General Services (DGS) contract — pre-bid and state-awarded — meaning cities do not need to conduct separate bids when contracting with BOSS.
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Who operates the sites?
Local nonprofit service providers under city contract, supported by facilities designed for efficient, trauma-informed operation.
Partnerships
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How does BOSS collaborate with partners?
BOSS brings all parties together as needed, depending on each city’s capabilities and capacity. Some cities may use their own public works departments, others may request a contractor for site work, while others prefer a full developer partner. BOSS’s experience from building many communities provides practical knowledge and project continuity at every step.
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How can contractors or developers participate?
By joining the BOSS partner network. We share our practical knowledge base and standardized design systems developed through extensive field experience, helping partners deliver high-quality communities efficiently and at scale.
Community & Political Support
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How do cities gain political and public backing?
BOSS provides communication frameworks, visuals, and data demonstrating reduced public-system costs and improved safety. Engaging neighbors early, maintaining high cleanliness and security standards, and prioritizing local residents all strengthen support.
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How are community concerns addressed?
Through transparency and results. Clean, secure sites build trust. Every successful project becomes proof of concept for the next.
Impact & Accountability
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What outcomes do BOSS communities deliver?
Stability, safety, and measurable progress: shorter street stays, improved health access, increased employment, and transitions to permanent housing — typically within four months.
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What does achieving Functional Zero mean?
It means homelessness in a city becomes rare, brief, and non-recurring — every person who loses housing can immediately access safe shelter and a pathway forward.
BOSS invites California’s mayors, supervisors, housing agencies, and development partners to adopt the Civic Infrastructure Blueprint to End Homelessness. Together, we can build the systems that restore dignity, protect public health, and move California decisively toward Functional Zero.
