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Forum Post: A couple thoughts about housing at occupied sites

Posted 12 years ago on Oct. 29, 2011, 6:10 p.m. EST by bretheilig (1)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

Hey everyone :)

I've been down to Liberty Square during the snowstorm, and the tents are an inspiring site to see! I work in construction, and it got me thinking about what will be necessary to have as comfortable a winter as possible. I had a couple of suggestions:

  • You will want to get tents up off the ground. A good way to do this cheaply and sustainably is to put them on wood pallets. Medium-to-large construction sites will invariably have lots of them, that they're often trying to get rid of, and will let you take for free.

  • Tarps are cheap, but they damage easily. Tents hold up better, but are expensive. A thin, rubber-like roofing material called EPDM comes in rolls, and can be used to make lean-tos that will withstand hail, and wont collapse as easily under ponded snow. Commercial roofing contractors may have big scraps of it that they're willing to give away.

Anyway, I hope this will help or get a good creative process going. Stay warm guys. You are the bravest and strongest among us.

6 Comments

6 Comments


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[-] 2 points by pissedoffconstructionworker (602) 12 years ago

The problem is that the cops have never officially approved shelters or structures as far as I know.

If they did, we could build some nice stuff.

[-] 1 points by frankjr (44) 12 years ago

I admire you guys for fighting the cause. I will suggest by some floor heating mats which are bathrooms 12v. Then just hook up to car batteries. Lay it under neath your sleeping bags.

These are awesome. Stay focussed.

[-] 1 points by derek (302) 12 years ago

Another idea, but not sure how well it will hold up in the snow: http://www.edar.org/ "EDAR (Everyone Deserves A Roof) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides unique mobile shelters to homeless men, women and children. An EDAR is a four-wheeled unit, based on a cart design that provides security for belongings, privacy and protection from the elements. During the day, the EDAR is a compact portable unit with sturdy wheels and waterproof protection. The steering is maneuverable and there is a brake and locking mechanism which ensures the unit will not move on its own. "

[-] 0 points by Thrasymaque (-2138) 12 years ago

How about digging to build underground. This way will cut the wind and use mother nature's earth to warm you up.

[-] -1 points by foreverleft (233) 12 years ago

What do you do for heat in those tents? Round up some fat chicks? :)

Seriously though, Sitting in a tent in NY winter is gotta be a death trap. What do you do for heat?

[-] 1 points by EndSexismAndRacism (1) from Brooklyn, NY 12 years ago

Your "joke" about "rounding up fat chicks" is divisive in a movement that prides itself on inclusion.