Pods For Change

Pods For Change is a student-led club at the Nueva School. At Pods For Change, we combine our passion for engineering and community service to build secure, long-lasting shelters for Oakland’s unhoused community. Our pods are insulated, portable, and lockable, making them a replicable modular housing solution for the unhoused.

Currently, in Oakland, there is a severe housing crisis. In the past five years, the unhoused population has nearly doubled. Moreover, unhoused women are especially vulnerable to abuse and sexual assault. Our club addresses this issue by providing these women with a warm, secure, private place to sleep. Oakland already has a small pod community—started by Pod Club mentor Fred Sotcher. However, there is a growing demand for new pods, which our club aims to fulfill.

It costs approximately $850-$1100 to build a pod. The majority of these costs ($950) represent the expense of materials. Materials include wood for structure and side paneling, insulation for warmth, and miscellaneous items (e.g., screws, caulk, and more). In addition, to deliver each pod we have to rent a U-Haul truck and hire professional help. Lastly, whatever money is left goes towards design innovations on the pod, such as solar-powered lighting and roofing shingles.

With your help, Pods For Change will continue to give back to our community and fight homelessness one pod at a time.