Food For Thought

This news update was sent to me with a extended invitation for me to attend the homeless conference in Washington DC. Unfortunately I am not able to attend the conference because of the lack of dollars; but I thought the issues that the coalition is currently talking about is difinitely worthy of sharing with HN. This kinda of news gives us a little more of an insight as to what the rest of the world thinks of homelessness and what they are preposing for the future( as far a shelter space goes).
In recent years, it seems most every institution in American society has been making an effort to address environmental concerns.
Homeless services are no exception; as shown by the advent of the green shelter.
A building is one designed to make efficient use of natural
resources in order to reduce ecological impacts and minimize operating costs.
Design features of a green building might include use of solar power, materials such as bamboo or recycled metal, use of fluorescent lighting, and gardens.
The first and so far, only; shelter consciously built in line with these principles is Crossroads in Oakland, California. Opened earlier this year by the East Oakland Community Project, the shelter includes such features as a solar-paneled roof and furniture made of pressed wheat.
In addition to being better for the Earth and for shelters; budgets, green buildings are likely to be better for occupants; health. For example, given the emphasis green principles place on circulation of fresh air, residency in green shelters would help to combat the disproportionate development of asthma in children experiencing homelessness.Crossroads, we hope, will be the start of a long trend.