A contracting group in Ontario believes they hold the solution to addressing the number of tent encampments popping up across the country.

NOW Housing has built two, modular home communities in Waterloo and Peterborough. Each community contains 50 private cabins crafted from shipping containers, with a separate trailer on site with a washroom facility.

Chris Pursel, a sales representative with NOW Housing, says they teamed up with a local group called ‘A Better Tent City’ after tent encampments started forming throughout southern Ontario.

Pursel says it costs about $2.5 million to build each community. The containers are small enough to where they do not require city approval prior to development, and they provide a safe and affordable place for people to live.

Each cabin has heat and air-conditioning and comes with a bed, mini fridge, desk and shelf. They’re made out of metal so they do not pose a fire risk and they can be moved around easily.

Given the success they’ve seen in Ontario, he believes tiny homes will play a pivotal role in addressing the homelessness problem across Canada.

Pursel says introducing the units has been “life changing” for some people as they are able to have a private place while still having access to the services they need. Moving into one of the cabins also means people will have an address, so they can apply to receive mail and apply for jobs.