by Chris Johnson
A community group, collective or organization working to address the need for immediate, low cost, short-term housing has several options for collective action. Most, if not all, of these scenarios have been attempted, in this or other regions, with varible success.
Scenario A:
A number of tents (and/or small semi-permanent (mobile) structures) are erected on public land every night at 7pm and dismantled at 7am. A portapotty is transported to storage from the site, with the tents and other gear, in the morning, then returned to the site in the evening.
Scenario B:
A number of tents (and/or small semi-permanent (mobile) structures) are erected on private land (with the permission of the owner) every night at 7pm and dismantled at 7am. A portapotty, shower and kitchen are transported to storage from the site, with the tents and other gear, in the morning, then returned to the site in the evening.
Scenario C:
A number of tents (and/or small semi-permanent (mobile) structures) are erected on public land and dismantled whenever residents are ready to dismantle, or when forced to by authorities.
Scenario D:
A number of tents (and/or small semi-permanent (mobile) structures) are erected on private land (with the permission of the owner), and dismantled whenever residents are ready to dismantle, or when forced to by authorities.
Scenario E:
A number of tents (and/or small semi-permanent (mobile) structures) are erected on private land for a period of 90 days before moving to other private land. (Or sooner if authorities force an earlier eviction)
Scenario F:
A number of tents (and/or small semi-permanent (mobile) structures) are erected in a church parking lot for a period of 90 days before moving to another church parking lot. (Or sooner if authorities force an earlier eviction)
Scenario G:
Municipal authorities are approached with a proposal to erect tents (and/or small semi-permanent (mobile) structures) for an indefinite period of time on private land. (Pre-approved by the property owner). Zoning amendments or other legal requirements are applied and complied with.
Scenario H:
Municipal authorities are approached with a proposal to erect tents (and/or small semi-permanent (mobile) structures) for an indefinite period of time on public land. Zoning amendments or other legal requirements are applied and complied with.
Scenario I:
Municipal authorities are approached with a proposal to erect tents (and/or small semi-permanent (mobile) structures) on a temporary basis on public land. Zoning amendments or other legal requirements are applied and complied with. Process repeats every 90 days.
Scenario J:
Municipal authorities are approached with a proposal to erect tents (and/or small semi-permanent (mobile) structures) on a temporary basis on private land. (Pre-approved by the property owner). Zoning amendments or other legal requirements are applied and complied with. Process repeats every 90 days.
Scenario K:
Private land is converted to a campground (Zoning amendments or other legal requirements are applied and complied with), and tents and small semi-permanent (mobile) structures are erected.
Scenario L:
A pre-existing campground is purchased and tents (and/or small semi-permanent (mobile) structures) are erected.
Scenario M:
Land is purchased and permanent structures are erected as a housing co-op or intentional community or urban eco-village.
Scenario N:
Land is purchased with the intention of building permanent structures as a housing co-op or intentional community or urban eco-village. Tents (and/or small semi-permanent (mobile) structures) are erected before and during construction.
Scenario O:
Land is leased/rented and permanent structures are erected as a housing co-op or intentional community or urban eco-village.
Scenario P:
Land is leased/rented with the intention of building permanent structures as a housing co-op or intentional community or urban eco-village. Tents (and/or small semi-permanent (mobile) structures) are erected before and during construction.
Scenario Q:
Municipal, provincial or federal government is approached for donation of public land for the creation of a housing co-op or intentional community or urban eco-village.
Scenario R:
Municipal, provincial or federal government is approached for donation of public land for the creation of a housing co-op or intentional community or urban eco-village. Tents (and/or small semi-permanent (mobile) structures) are erected before and during construction.
Further Scenarios:
Trailer Parks created or purchases
Private land owners host RV communities in parking lots or in fields.
Vacant Buildings rented, leased, or squatted.
