We believe every person has a basic human right to housing. With our Safe Storage Lockers pilot program, we aim to increase the chances for people to transition off the streets and into permanent housing, by providing a personal connection and a place to safely store personal belongings.
Safe Storage Lockers Mission: Providing secure storage for people without housing.
The Safe Storage Lockers pilot program began as a concept by unhoused and housed community members in Bellingham, WA as a way to address the prevalent and vital need for secure storage among people without housing.
A safe place to store belongings offers an opportunity to go about daily life (to work, job hunt, attend classes, use public transportation, go to appointments, and work on daily goals) without the constant mental and physical burden of carrying one's belongings everywhere, all day long.
The pilot program began with the Safe Storage Locker Truck in Dec 2018, providing secure storage in the back of a box truck accessible once a week, and will expand to outdoor Safe Storage Lockers, providing secure storage with access whenever people need it.
The Safe Storage Locker Truck was 100% volunteer run and open every Saturday, Dec 2018-May 2019, providing storage in repurposed school and work lockers. The locker truck offered storage, clothing, gear, snacks and water to assist with people’s immediate, basic needs.
The outdoor Safe Storage Lockers will consist of small groups of 10-12 lockers, starting with three locations in downtown Bellingham. Lockers will be leased to people who will be given a personal key to access belongings whenever needed. BasicsPNW staff will have regular in-person meetings with each locker tenant to help break down housing barriers, work on personal goals, and connect to other services, as needed.
We believe this personal connection is key to the success of the locker program and to people transitioning off of the streets and into a safe place to call home. It’s this connection and support that sets our program apart from typical storage programs for people experiencing homelessness, making Safe Storage Lockers a unique locker storage program within the U.S.
If you would like to know more about how you can support this program or get involved, please message us on facebook, or email [email protected].
BasicsPNW - nonprofit corporation, and host of the Safe Storage Lockers pilot program.
Vision: A stronger, healthier community where everyone has the chance to reach their fullest potential and thrive.
Mission: BasicsPNW fulfills people's basic needs and promotes personal connections throughout the Pacific Northwest.
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