At Vans4Humanity, we believe it’s possible to make a meaningful contribution to alleviating homelessness. We are developing a simple, cost-effective van-based mobile home solution that enables people to enjoy a modern lifestyle with minimal fixed infrastructure and low ongoing expenses.
Why it Makes Sense
-
We provide housing and mobility simultaneously.
-
Our approach offers a cost-, time-, and location-scalable response to urgent housing needs.
-
Very few fixed infrastructure changes are required.
-
This solution ensures safety, freedom, and flexibility for partner organizations and end-users.
About the Vans
We purchase and outfit residential vans at a cost of approximately AUD $80,000, a figure that could be reduced with larger-scale production. Each van includes:
-
A double bed
-
Two single beds (beneath the double bed)
-
A seating area
-
An adjustable work/dining table
-
A toilet (typically an incinerator toilet to eliminate sewage waste)
-
A recirculating hot and cold shower
-
A sink
-
An induction stove
-
Storage space
-
Sufficient solar panels and appropriate batteries
-
A mini washer and dryer
-
Water filters/purifiers
We use a medium-wheelbase, high-roof JAC Sunray van—similar to a Mercedes Sprinter but significantly more affordable.
Financing
A key aspect of our offering is a flexible financing system, allowing recipients to start without any upfront payment, collateral, or income. While the specific details are still being finalized, our basic model provides a low monthly cost that can be covered by regular support payments (e.g., Centerlink in Australia). Payments can also be deferred at a nominal interest rate if the individual is not currently receiving income or support.
This approach creates a long-term, financially viable way to address homelessness and inadequate housing.
Partnerships
We will collaborate with established charities and organizations, integrating our product and financing solutions into their existing programs. By doing this, we can focus on scalable aspects—manufacturing and financing—while leveraging the experience and day-to-day service delivery of our partners.
Open Source
All our design work will be made open source. Other companies are welcome to use these designs to offer similar products, ensuring greater accessibility and impact without unnecessary barriers.
Why it Will Work
We believe our solution will be effective for several reasons:
-
Housing + Mobility: It addresses two critical needs. Being housed safely while retaining mobility allows individuals to travel for work, attend job interviews, and enjoy low-cost leisure activities like visiting national parks and beaches. This combination can significantly improve mental health outcomes for those affected by housing instability.
-
Minimal Infrastructure: Each van fits into a standard parking space. Additional low-cost parking areas and basic utility connections can be developed as needed. Using incinerator toilets eliminates sewage waste, enabling simple waste management.
-
Scalable Production: Our solution relies on a single, mass-producible product, allowing economies of scale to reduce costs.
-
Broad Geographic Applicability: This model can be adapted for use in nearly any region.
-
Leveraging Experienced Partners: By working with existing charities and organizations experienced in supporting homeless and underhoused populations, we can effectively integrate our solution into well-established service networks.
Next Steps
We are currently seeking funding to develop our initial prototypes and prove our concept. We invite interested foundations and funding bodies to provide seed funding on a repayment basis (i.e., our sustainable financial model means we expect to repay all external funding with interest).
Download our Request for Funding document
Finally
While we acknowledge that no single solution can completely solve homelessness, we believe our approach can make a meaningful impact and help address this complex, widespread issue.