I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Amy King, co-founder of Pallet, the company responsible for those tiny houses that have been popping up in communities across the country. Amy's husband, a general contractor and trained firefighter, came up with the idea for Pallet in response to natural disasters. The initial concept was to create a lightweight, affordable, and easy-to-construct house that could be quickly deployed in disaster areas. However, as the homelessness crisis grew, the company saw an opportunity to use their product to help those in need.
Amy took the idea to her staff, many of whom had experienced homelessness themselves. They unanimously agreed that this could be a useful solution to the growing problem. The first iteration of the product was created with the help of the City of Tacoma, which became Pallet's first customer.
The Pallet houses are made from mold, mildew, and rot-resistant materials, and are designed to be simple to put together and take down. The company purposefully avoids using traditional construction materials, which can be heavy, expensive, and time-consuming to work with. Instead, Pallet uses alternative materials that meet code requirements while keeping costs down.
Pallet's goal is not to provide permanent housing, but rather to offer a temporary solution that can be quickly deployed in times of need. The houses are designed to last a long time and be durable, but they are not intended to be a long-term solution. Instead, they are meant to provide immediate shelter and services to those in need, with the hope that they will be able to move on to more permanent housing solutions.
One of the key benefits of Pallet's product is its versatility. The houses can be broken down and stored, making them useful in a variety of situations. For example, they can be used for disaster response, providing temporary shelter for those affected by wildfires or other natural disasters. They can also be used for homelessness response, providing immediate shelter and services to those in need.
Pallet is committed to creating jobs and providing workforce development opportunities. Whenever possible, the company partners with local organizations to deploy their products, creating jobs and training opportunities for those in the community.
Amy told me that Pallet is currently hearing from cities and states across the country that are interested in their product. With the homelessness crisis affecting communities nationwide, there is a growing need for temporary housing solutions that can be quickly deployed. Pallet is proud to be a part of the solution, and welcomes competition and innovation in the space.
One of the requirements for Pallet's customers is that they show proof of contracting with a service provider when using the houses for homelessness response. This is because the real magic of the Pallet houses happens when they are combined with targeted services that help change people's lives. Pallet is proud to partner with organizations like Hope in the Valley, Salvation Army, and many others across the country who are providing much-needed services to those in need.
Overall, it was an honor to speak with Amy King and learn more about Pallet's mission to provide temporary housing solutions to those in need. The company's commitment to creating jobs, providing workforce development opportunities, and partnering with service providers to change lives is truly inspiring.