San Francisco Housing Innovation: Sleeping Pods at Just $700 a Month
A new housing startup in San Francisco is offering an affordable solution to the city’s notoriously high rent prices. Brownstone Shared Housing, a local start-up, has received approval to set up 30 sleeping pods inside a former bank building in Downtown San Francisco. With pods available for as low as $700 per month, this affordable housing concept aims to provide a more accessible living option for people struggling with the area’s sky-high housing costs.
Innovative Housing Solution in San Francisco
The idea of living in a sleep pod is gaining traction, and Brownstone Shared Housing is at the forefront of this movement. Christina Lennox, one of the co-founders of the startup, has personally lived in the pods and still occupies one at the facility. “I’ve added a few personal touches, like some decorations and a whiteboard, but really, it’s just a bed for me,” Lennox shared. “I spend most of my time in the common spaces.”
Located at 12 Mint Plaza, this unique housing facility has room for up to 30 residents. While the building currently hosts around 15 people, it is designed to provide individual sleeping pods, small storage cabinets, and additional storage in the basement for each resident.
Transforming a Former Bank into Affordable Housing
What was once a bustling bank now serves as a living space for those in need. James Stallworth, CEO of Brownstone Shared Housing, explained, “This was actually the teller’s desk where the bank workers used to operate, and we decided to leave it as is.” The transformation of the bank into living pods faced several hurdles, including challenges with building codes, as city officials initially ruled that the pods violated regulations.
However, after several months of working with city officials, Brownstone Shared Housing finally received approval for the conversion. “It took about nine months to work through the code enforcement process, but once we were approved, things moved quickly,” said Stallworth.
Aiming to Keep Housing Affordable
To make the pods accessible, the company has priced them at $700 per month. Stallworth and Lennox carefully considered the average income of potential residents when determining the cost. “Many people are earning around $2,000 a month, so we wanted to make sure the pods are affordable to as many people as possible,” said Stallworth.
The concept is inspired by Japanese capsule hotels, offering minimalistic but functional living spaces that maximize shared common areas. After facing their own struggles finding affordable housing post-college, the co-founders were motivated to create a solution that wouldn’t force people to abandon their dreams due to high living costs.
Building Community Through Shared Living Spaces
Living in a shared space like this offers more than just a place to sleep—it provides a unique opportunity for collaboration and community. “Living with others creates a space where you can connect, collaborate, and learn from each other,” said Lennox. “If you’re working on a project or learning a new language, it’s easy to find others who share your interests and goals.”
Brownstone Shared Housing is more than just a place to stay—it’s a community designed to inspire growth, opportunity, and connection. With the demand for affordable housing continuing to rise, this innovative approach to urban living could be the future of affordable housing solutions in cities like San Francisco.
Source: CBS News
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