Phoenix village offers container homes to seniors experiencing homelessness
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In Phoenix, Arizona, Mercy House opened Senior Bridge in March, a new housing development offering 40 studio units to people age 55 and older who are transitioning out of homelessness.
The village uses repurposed shipping containers for its buildings and features off-grid power through solar panels and lithium batteries, reducing operating and resident costs. Each 160-square-foot unit provides a bed, bathroom, mini-fridge, and microwave, and residents receive case management to connect them with healthcare, nutrition, and community programs.
Mercy House intends for residents to move into more permanent housing within approximately 90 days, and plans to build 54 permanent supportive apartments on the same campus by the end of 2026. The organization believes co-locating housing and social services is key to effectively addressing senior homelessness, emphasizing the need for collaboration between shelters, outreach teams, and permanent housing providers. Phoenix leaders, including Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington, celebrated the opening of Senior Bridge as a dignified and effective solution.
The project aims to address a growing problem in Phoenix, where adults 55 and older represent about 40% of those using emergency shelter beds.
