Lewes engineers transform shipping containers to sustainable homes

While it might not look like much, a pair of engineers in Lewes say this space can shelter a family in need. It all started with a mission trip  to the Dominican Republic where Lance Manlove, a Lewes engineer, helped install a solar power well. After the trip, Manlove felt that he could do a little more.

“The standard is dirt floors, lean two shelters, tin roofs, nothing that is going to be healthy for a family  or storm proof, and prone to insects and rodents getting in,” says Manlove.

So he decided to step in and convert shipping containers into homes.That’s when Manlove and another engineer named Patrick Staggs launched a non-profit organization called  Homes of Hope. Currently Manlove and Staggs are building a prototype from a used container they bought. The container is roughly 320 square feet and  Manlove says this potential two-bedroom home can fit up to a family of six in the Dominican Republic.

“As you walk into the container this is the main living space so there is going to be a couch over here and over in this side where the kitchen will be located,” says Manlove.

The container will also have a composting toilet and have solar powered lights.

“So we don’t want to give them something that is going to cause them more burden with maintenance or cost to upkeep,” says Manlove.

Manlove tells us that costs to convert and ship the container can cost a total of $15,000. So far Bay Shore Community Church has sponsored their first project, but are looking for others to do the same.

“We are really excited about how it’s going to really affect families and change their lives so we are hoping 3 or 4 of these a year but we’ll see,” says Manlove.

Homes of Hope will officially begin their first project this weekend. Members are asking for donations from materials to helping hands to have their first container completed within the next two weeks. Their first project is expected to arrive to the Dominican Republic by July were it will be installed by the engineers.

For more information on Homes of Hope or how to get involved click here.