We Can Build Better: Why the Homeless Deserve More Than a Shed

By Gary Fleisher, The Modcoach

A few weeks ago, I saw a city proudly unveil a cluster of “shelters” for the unhoused—plastic garden sheds with padlocks. No insulation. No electricity. No dignity.

And I couldn’t help but think: Is this really the best we can do?

After more than 35 years watching innovation and stagnation dance a twisted tango in construction, I’ve seen how the offsite industry has transformed skylines, built hurricane relief villages, and created luxury condos in weeks. But when it comes to helping those on the very bottom of society’s ladder, we’re often quiet—too quiet.

It’s time to speak up.

Plastic sheds and plywood boxes might feel like solutions to those who write checks or pose for ribbon-cuttings. But to the person who has to sleep there in the winter, it’s just another message: “You don’t matter enough.”

Offsite construction—modular, panelized, prefab, you name it—has the speed, efficiency, and design flexibility to create real transitional housing. I’m not talking about five-star homes. I’m talking about private units with a locking door, a warm bed, a place to sit, and yes—a bathroom. That should be the baseline, not the luxury version.

I’ve toured factories that can crank out these kinds of units for under $70,000 each. I’ve talked to entrepreneurs who are ready to scale production. I’ve watched groups like DignityMoves prove that it can be done—with compassion, with code compliance, and with community buy-in.

So why aren’t we doing more?

We go to conferences, trade shows, and conventions filled with excitement about automation, robotics, AI, apps, and software integration. We gather in hotel ballrooms and on expo floors to talk about how fast we can build, how smart our systems are becoming, and how much profit we can squeeze from every square foot.

But walk through those events and you’ll see almost nothing—nothing—about efficiently and yes, profitably, building for the most fragile and forgotten members of society. It’s as if solving homelessness is someone else’s responsibility. But if we can build a smart city from scratch, surely we can build smart housing for those who need it most.

Here’s the truth: it’s not just about what we can build. It’s about what we choose to build.

We need to stop thinking of homelessness as a problem to hide and start seeing it as a test of our priorities. As an industry, we love showing off our luxury models and innovative folding homes—but maybe the most revolutionary thing we can do is build something truly affordable on purpose for those with nothing.

I’m not naïve. I know offsite factories aren’t charities. But what if, just once, we showed cities and developers that there’s a smarter, faster, and more human alternative to the shed?

Let’s use our voices, our skills, and our connections to demand better. Because building a box is easy. Building dignity takes intention.

And the next time a mayor or city planner shows off a parking lot of plastic huts, let’s be the ones to ask: Is this the best you can do? Because we know a factory that can do better.