Design Criteria
A HomePod is a tiny, insulated, secure, comfortable, weather-proof, visually appealing micro-dwelling for the homeless. HomePods.ORG is defining what a micro-dwelling must have, in order to qualify as a fully approved “HomePod”.
No HomePod exists yet that meets all of our criteria (listed below). If you find one on the internet or would like to help us design one, please visit our Join Us page (even if it’s just to make suggestions)!
Not Quite a HomePod
Micro-dwellings that don’t meet our requirements will appear in our blog, “Not Quite a HomePod”, along with a checklist of what’s right and what’s missing, to inspire ever better designs.
HomePods.ORG does not manufacture micro-dwellings or components. We leave that completely up to others. Our mission is to find and promote the best examples that exist worldwide, and to encourage improvements.
A HomePod must be relatively inexpensive to mass-produce, easy to move, and comfortable in any climate. They are meant as a substitute for tents, vehicles, and other temporary enclosures the homeless live in – which are generally insecure and unsafe in extreme heat and cold.
Homepod dwellings will be placed with and by organizations who match HomePod residents (people who have struggled with homelessness) with appropriate HomePod hosts (shelters, churches, fire stations, community centres, hospitals, private residences, etc.).
Criteria
The requirements listed below will evolve. During our 2026 cross-country trek, we will tow the best micro-dwelling we’ve found (even if it doesn’t yet meet all of our minimum requirements), to encourage production of progressively better prototypes.
- Wedge shaped:
- clusterable
- can fit in a corner
- arrange in a full circle
- create a half-circle along a wall
- unlimited serpentine possibilities
- maximum height of of 1.25 metres (4.1 feet):
- high enough to sit inside
- shorter than most utility storage sheds
- low enough to blend into its surroundings
- comfortable in outdoor temperatures of +60C to -60C:
- self-regulating temperature
- minimal energy consumption
- sleeping comfort for improved health
- accommodates the most extreme climates
- embedded locator signal device
- discourage theft
- ease location and retrieval
- provide consistency in social services
- internet communication device permanently tethered to the interior
- wi-fi supplied by hosts
- provides internet connectivity
- encourages social media interaction
- makes it possible to research and self-educate
- eases the task of finding employment and other resources
- lockable door
- for privacy and security
- raised door sill that opens to the interior
- avoids blockage by snow or sand drifts
- raised door sill that opens to the interior
- for privacy and security
- maximum footprint of 2.25 square metres
- easily fits into tiny land spaces
- hosts can accommodate more than one
- ventilation, lighting, and internal outlet, powered by a standard electric cord
- no zoning permits required
- very low power consumption
- possible solar and battery power option
- no permanent plumbing or electrical hook-ups
- no zoning permits required
- unlimited placement options
- CO2 fire alarm and other features along with safety certifications for sleeping pod use
- once a micro-dwelling meets the most basic criteria, we will continue to improve upon them indefinitely, by making them ever safer, more comfortable, and more versatile
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