A few months ago, it was just an empty lot in Glendale, Arizona—dusty earth baking under the desert sun. Today, a cluster of repurposed shipping containers stands there, ready to shelter families in need. It’s all part of Legacy Village, an ambitious new venture by Family Promise of Greater Phoenix, a nonprofit working to combat the region’s rising homelessness. Their approach? Transform rugged metal cargo boxes into modern, fully furnished housing—faster and cheaper than traditional methods.
A Radical Response to Rising Homelessness
The Valley of the Sun, encompassing Phoenix and its surrounding communities, has seen a surge in homelessness in recent years. Eviction rates are high, housing costs continue to climb, and local shelters are often at capacity. Ted Taylor, CEO of Family Promise, explains why shipping containers have become a surprising yet effective solution:
“We’re using shipping containers because it’s a cheap and easy way to throw up homes for people in need as quickly as possible.”
The nonprofit’s goal is twofold: speed and affordability. With each container unit taking about three months to produce off-site, then assembled onsite, the timeline for opening doors to families is slashed. And at just over $100,000 per home, construction costs pale in comparison to more conventional housing—often exceeding $300,000 per unit in the Valley’s hot real estate market.
Inside Legacy Village
Legacy Village will ultimately feature six two-bedroom container units, located near 59th Street and Bethany Home Road. Each unit is made by joining two shipping containers, creating about 650 square feet of living space—enough room for a small family to have separate bedrooms, a bathroom, and a modest living area. Key features include:
Fully furnished interiors, thanks to a partnership with IKEA.
Modern kitchens complete with appliances, refrigerators, and sinks.
Colorful art adorning the walls to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Thoughtful engineering like vents in the front door to prevent air-pressure build-up (a quirk of sealed steel containers).
One might imagine a claustrophobic metal box, but step inside, and the space feels bright and open. Large windows and well-planned layouts help keep the environment airy. “We wanted families to feel safe,” Taylor emphasizes. “That’s the heart of this design.”
A Transitional Path
Although Legacy Village is built from shipping containers, its goal is anything but temporary. The community fills a key gap in the housing continuum by providing transitional housing—a stepping stone between homeless shelters and permanent residences.
Rent is based on a sliding scale. Families often arrive with limited resources, so the nonprofit sets low initial rates to help them get back on their feet. In turn, families must deposit 80% of their net income into savings, ensuring they’re building financial stability.
“Most families, when they come out of shelter, have very limited resources,” Taylor explains. “They’ve got to save as much money as possible.”
This structured approach helps families accumulate a nest egg for security deposits, rental fees, or unexpected expenses—critical factors that can make or break their transition into market-rate housing.
Addressing a High-Eviction Neighborhood
The decision to locate Legacy Village near the 85301 zip code wasn’t arbitrary. According to Eviction Lab data, this area has seen more than 2,500 eviction filings since December 2023—one of the highest rates in metro Phoenix. By situating the community in a part of town where evictions are common, Family Promise aims to reach families most vulnerable to losing their homes.
Additionally, the desert climate presents its own challenges—extreme summer heat can make homelessness even more dangerous, especially for families with young children. Legacy Village’s design addresses these factors with energy-efficient insulation, solar panel installations, and a central shaded courtyard to create a cooler, communal space.
Why Shipping Containers?
The idea of using overseas containers for homes isn’t entirely new. Architects worldwide have experimented with them for offices, pop-up shops, and even full-fledged neighborhoods. However, Family Promise is one of the first nonprofits in Arizona to scale the concept to address homelessness.
According to Taylor:
“Not only do we pay less for the containers, but they’re manufactured in a factory environment…that speed saves money.”
The timeline looks like this:
- Production: Containers are stripped and repurposed offsite. Walls are insulated, windows are cut, and basic plumbing, wiring, and climate control are added.
- Transport: The half-finished units are shipped to Glendale, where they’re joined to form each 650-square-foot home.
- Finishing Touches: Crews handle final details onsite—flooring, painting, and fixture installations—transforming raw steel into a cozy dwelling.
A typical unit might be ready for move-in within 3–4 months, a fraction of the time it might take to build a house using traditional brick-and-mortar methods.
Alleviating Housing Costs
Phoenix’s booming real estate market has left many families behind. With new housing developments catering mostly to middle and higher-income brackets, lower-income residents are squeezed out. Shipping containers, by contrast, can keep costs in check. Each container home costs around $100,000–$120,000, significantly undercutting the $300,000–$400,000 typical cost for conventional housing in the area.
Even more than controlling expenses, the approach fosters a sense of community ownership—Legacy Village is envisioned not as a sterile block of units, but as a vibrant neighborhood featuring:
A basketball court for kids and teens
Outdoor seating shaded by a pergola
Artificial turf to create a comfortable, play-friendly environment
“It’s going to be a place where children can run and play and not worry,” Taylor notes. “Families deserve that stability.”
A Model for Other Cities?
With rising homelessness across major U.S. cities, transitional solutions are in high demand. For many municipalities grappling with limited budgets, shipping container projects offer an affordable and scalable way to increase housing stock.
Of course, the concept isn’t entirely free of obstacles:
- Local Regulations: Building codes and zoning laws vary. Shipping containers must meet structural guidelines for safe occupancy.
- Perception: Some may harbor negative impressions of container housing, assuming it’s low-quality or “makeshift.” Family Promise addresses this by designing attractive, durable, and functional interiors.
- Infrastructure: Installing infrastructure—sewer lines, water hookups, and electricity—for container communities can still pose logistical challenges.
Nevertheless, Phoenix and other cities keep pushing the envelope. And groups like Family Promise prove that a balance between innovation and empathy can yield big wins for families in need.
How to Help
- Donate or Volunteer: Family Promise relies on community support. Visit their website to learn about volunteer opportunities or to contribute funds for construction and furnishings.
- Advocate for Zoning Changes: If your city resists alternative housing models, talk to local representatives. Encouraging more flexible building codes can pave the way for faster solutions.
- Spread the Word: Share success stories like Legacy Village on social media or in conversations with neighbors. Public awareness can spark interest in replicating these solutions.
- Support Eviction Prevention: By pushing for rent assistance programs, legal aid, and job training, communities can tackle homelessness at its roots.
Inspiring a Fresh Start
At its core, Legacy Village demonstrates that where some see steel boxes, others see a lifeline for displaced families. The project merges practicality—shipping containers are cheaper and quicker to build—with a genuine desire to empower families rather than simply shelter them.
In a recent article on Denver’s strides in homeless veteran support, we learned how wraparound services accelerate the path to stability. Phoenix’s container homes are another piece of the puzzle—combining cost-effective shelter with a safe, uplifting community environment.
Looking Ahead
By the end of December or January, Family Promise aims to have the first families moved into Legacy Village. From there, the organization will guide tenants through transitional phases—eventually shifting them into near-market-rate housing as they build savings and confidence. “It’s about giving families a place to start over, at a time when the housing market can feel impossible,” Taylor says.
Could shipping container homes become a mainstay solution for America’s housing crisis? That’s still an open question. But for six families in Glendale, these upcycled steel rectangles represent more than just four walls and a roof—they’re the foundation for a brighter future, one that prioritizes dignity, safety, and a second chance at independence.