Man makes an effort to solve the homeless problem by using a giant cruise ship

Kenneth Capron from Portland proposed an answer for city’s dilemma in providing a place for the homeless. He said they should turn a used cruise ship into a housing facility.

Capron, a contractor, is the founder of the nonprofit organization called MemoryWorks. When he thought of the idea of refurbishing an old cruise ship and turning it into a floating shelter for the homeless, he immediately got to work.

He invited potential investors to help make his vision come true. Of course, he also had to convince the Portland City Hall.

Apart from being a homeless shelter, Capron also said the ship could be an affordable housing for locals and immigrants.

In September 2018, he shared plans of conducting a feasibility study that was supposedly funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Asking the Mayor Ethan Strimling’s sentiments, he said, “I have no idea if it’s the craziest idea I’ve ever heard or the most brilliant idea I’ve ever heard.” So far, the city hall seems to be open with the idea.

Repurposing a used cruise ship with a capacity for around 1000 people has an estimated cost of $5 million to $10 million.

According to the report, the idea was first dropped, but because of their dilemma in housing, the city council decided to discuss it once again.