Forum Post: A couple thoughts about housing at occupied sites
Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 29, 2011, 6:10 p.m. EST by bretheilig
(1)
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Hey everyone :)
I've been down to Liberty Square during the snowstorm, and the tents are an inspiring site to see! I work in construction, and it got me thinking about what will be necessary to have as comfortable a winter as possible. I had a couple of suggestions:
You will want to get tents up off the ground. A good way to do this cheaply and sustainably is to put them on wood pallets. Medium-to-large construction sites will invariably have lots of them, that they're often trying to get rid of, and will let you take for free.
Tarps are cheap, but they damage easily. Tents hold up better, but are expensive. A thin, rubber-like roofing material called EPDM comes in rolls, and can be used to make lean-tos that will withstand hail, and wont collapse as easily under ponded snow. Commercial roofing contractors may have big scraps of it that they're willing to give away.
Anyway, I hope this will help or get a good creative process going. Stay warm guys. You are the bravest and strongest among us.
The problem is that the cops have never officially approved shelters or structures as far as I know.
If they did, we could build some nice stuff.
I admire you guys for fighting the cause. I will suggest by some floor heating mats which are bathrooms 12v. Then just hook up to car batteries. Lay it under neath your sleeping bags.
These are awesome. Stay focussed.
Another idea, but not sure how well it will hold up in the snow: http://www.edar.org/ "EDAR (Everyone Deserves A Roof) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides unique mobile shelters to homeless men, women and children. An EDAR is a four-wheeled unit, based on a cart design that provides security for belongings, privacy and protection from the elements. During the day, the EDAR is a compact portable unit with sturdy wheels and waterproof protection. The steering is maneuverable and there is a brake and locking mechanism which ensures the unit will not move on its own. "
How about digging to build underground. This way will cut the wind and use mother nature's earth to warm you up.
What do you do for heat in those tents? Round up some fat chicks? :)
Seriously though, Sitting in a tent in NY winter is gotta be a death trap. What do you do for heat?
Your "joke" about "rounding up fat chicks" is divisive in a movement that prides itself on inclusion.