Main fundraiser photo

Help Give the Homeless Housing

Donation protected
We are REACH (Rehabilitative Environment Aimed at Challenging Homelessness) and we want to change the way homelessness is handled in the U.S.

In the United States alone there are over 500,000 people homeless.

The Story
We are students Austin Ortega and Norrie Palmer representing the Engineering and Construction Academy of Lincoln High School in Stockton California. As residents of the city we wanted to solve a growing problem in our community with our skills in the fields of engineering and architecture. What started out as a student project quickly developed into an idea that had real potential for social change. After months of research and development we developed the program and are now fabricating our sheltering invention, the HUT or Habitable Urban Tent. We hope to implement this system to make a difference in our community and others around the country. Our goal is to eradicate homelessness in Stockton by providing homes. More specifically we aim to produce 250 HUTs. We have contacted city officials, such as Mayor Anthony Silva, and they have expressed enthusiasm for the program. Other applications include personal storage, rapid disaster relief sheltering and camping.

The HUT
There is currently no viable shelter option that is as durable, affordable, or as easy to assemble as the HUT. The HUT was designed with modularity in mind, each panel is universal, so if one panel is damaged another can take its place. In addition, the assembly and disassembly of the HUT requires no special tools or separate parts. Each unit includes a cot (with the option for up to three if necessary), a window and space for storage. The HUT provides a fresh new foundation for an individual to start anew.

Why we need funding
Molds, manufacturing and shipping isn't cheap that’s why we need your help. So far we have raised enough money to fund a functioning prototype, the next phase is mass production. With the funding from this campaign we will be able to pay for molds, parts and shipping so that we can get the HUT to people who need it most. 

The long term goal
After we serve Stockton’s homeless population we hope to bring the program to more communities in the United States. We can’t wait to see the impact and future capabilities of the HUT and maturation of the REACH program.



A picture taken after our presentation with Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva. From left to right: Jeff Wright (engineering teacher), Austin Ortega (co-founder), Norrie Palmer (co-founder), and Mayor Silva. 


Visit our recently released website! 
or
Check out our Facebook page!

Organizer

Austin Ortega
Organizer
Stockton, CA

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.