Hoovervilles of the Future
Economies go up and down, crash and burn and then rebuild. Our economy crashed hard in 1929- the beginning of a period called the Great Depression. Economists claim we are headed for a worldwide financial depression that will be devastating. They have been saying that for a while now, but you never know.
I began to research the Hoovervilles that sprang up during the Depression. These shacks were built from available materials such as tar paper for the roofs, recycled pallets and any scrap wood that could be found and utilized. Light was provided by candles or lanterns; heat was supplied by means of wood burning stoves, if one was fortunate enough to have one.
Knowing that technology of the time was utilized to build, light and possibly heat these impromptu shelters, I started wondering what Hoovervilles of tomorrow might look like if they were built with the technology of today.
Let’s see, I’ll build my idea of a futuristic Hooverville shack, er, shelter. Let’s be politically correct on at least that term. They’re called shelters now, because the term “shack” is derogatory.
My Hooverville Shelter:
General Building
I would find an salvage a 4-by-4 or suitable lumber to begin my shelter’s foundation. Concrete footings can be used to support them. Hand tools do make the work take longer, but the same results can be achieved. After all, hand tools built some of the largest and most amazing structures on Earth such as the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal.
The framing would be built from salvaged 2-by-4’s taken from pallets. These are readily available near and in dumpsters beside businesses. Lap joints held together with construction adhesive and screws would create sturdy joints. Since these boards would be pieced together, they wouldn’t be set at 16″ on center as in conventional framing, but at 12″ on center. Although that would require more wood, it would be stronger. Cross member framing, also known as fire blocks would be inserted between the boards for added strength.
I could frame in a salvaged window or two that I could buy cheaply from used building supply centers or pick up cheaply or for free, located on different websites.
The roofing can be accomplished with wood planks salvaged from pallets, covered with felt paper from a DIY store and inexpensive shingles. It could also be achieved by using horizontally placed planks with the butt edges offset like shingles and layered to allow rain to flow off. Think cedar or other wood shingles. A coat of water sealer or two would make it watertight.
Flooring would be made from wood planks salvaged from fences, pallets or shipping crates. There are a number of businesses near me that have cardboard spacers reinforced with spruce 1-by-4 wood. The business has told me I can have them free for the hauling. Perfect.
The idea of this is to spend as little as possible in building my shelter. After all, if it truly does need to be built, a financial disaster has taken place. Insulation found outside should be avoided; wet or moldy insulation is worthless.
Keep in mind that safety is a critical issue. Although numerous sites are full of folks suggestions to use regular cardboard, newspaper or old clothing treated with fire retardant, the best insulation should be purchased and installed properly. Since I wouldn’t be building a mansion, my shelter wouldn’t need much.
Speaking of safety, I can install a salvaged door and install a lockset and door knob from the DIY store.
Inside Walls
Instead of using drywall, more planking from pallets can be used. I could also use more spruce boards. I can also keep an eye out in neighborhoods for wood and other items by the curb after remodeling or redecorating. A simple knock on the door could yield most of what I need to build, embellish, furnish and decorate. Just takes a little time.
Furniture
As I mentioned above, many items are available free for the asking. Foldable furniture such as tables, chairs, an air mattress, homemade Murphy bed, a gaucho bed or a flip top bed that includes storage utilizes the available space most efficiently.
Power
Okay, so far things have been fairly old-fashioned. Technology has provided a wide variety of items that will make the shelter off the grid efficient as far as energy needs are concerned. I’m speaking of solar energy. I can use solar panels, lanterns and other items to make my shelter comfy. It would be similar to a solar powered camp.
Not having to pay rent would allow me to save for AGM batteries to store electricity made from solar panels.
My laptop can be powered by solar panels and I can access the web using a mobile hotspot. Alternatively, I can take the laptop to a local library or sit in a number of businesses that offer free wi-fi; more companies offer it than ever before to customers.
Water
Instead of drilling for water, looking for a leaking faucet or doing the totally unsafe thing of trying to drink creek water full of roadside runoff, a few quart bottles with screw caps can be filled at a grocery store, library or other public restroom. The water is drinkable and safe.
Sanitation
Compost toilets and porta-potties that use disposable bags are all acceptable forms of “taking care of business.” It just takes a little work and diligence to keep things sanitary.
Use a small stove to heat water for a bucket bath or build your own pressurized solar shower. A shower enclave is not hard to build; ensure the water drains away from the shelter and not under it.
Cooking
You could build your own stove, buy a camping stove or build a solar oven. There are 12 volt refrigerators that use solar panels, but they can be pricey. An ice chest is wonderful, but must be refilled every so often. You could recycle the water in the portapotty, use it to wash clothing or clean with.
There are other items too numerous to list such as laundry. This could be done by hand, using a hand-crank model that is widely available or take your clothes to a laundromat. Bus passes allow transportation to be far less expensive than paying for gas or parking.
Heating during the winter is not really necessary if the insulation is adequate or the temperatures are mild. Since I was able to camp in a tent throughout the winter here in Bexar County, Texas, without a heater, I probably wouldn’t get one.
Air conditioning in the summer could be provided by solar powered fans for air circulation, I could spring for an extremely energy efficient mini-air conditioner or build a homemade geothermal pump if I could find plans and the materials.
Lastly, and certainly not least, I will talk briefly about location. During the Depression, people lived, camped or built Hoovervilles wherever they could. Today, I would call a friend and get permission to build the shelter on his or her property. I could also rent property and put the shelter up. The shelter would not qualify as a permanent structure. I would check with local code first; camping on private property is allowed by most states. Of course, I could build the shelter in a stand of trees to resemble a storage shed if I were really concerned about stealth. Having permission means I don’t have to hide.
Hmm. Power, insulation, walls, roof, door and practically all the comforts of home without owning one. Entertainment, TV, the internet and all the things they didn’t have in the Depression. How would we be deprived? That’s better living than most of the world’s population. Of course, it’s better to have a place of your own whether it’s an apartment, motel room or a house. Me- I have a home in my travel trailer. If I don’t like the neighborhood or want to move to a new place, I just hitch up and go.
Source: The author of this article has over 40 years of experience in diverse forms of crafting, designing, and building furniture, outdoor projects and more.
