Human Relations Committee could explore using temporary pods for shelter

LACONIA — The Laconia Human Relations Committee could explore providing pods as temporary shelter for people who are unhoused following a presentation at their most recent meeting.

The committee met on Tuesday afternoon to discuss a potential temporary solution to homelessness, the "God Pod," among other items on the agenda. Committee member Richard Littlefield brought the idea to the committee after seeing it on social media, and reading about Kenzo Morris’ sleepout experiment in the pod. He explained why the pod could be important.

“We know that we have a very serious issue, and just like many issues in the city of Laconia, it gets pushed, it gets swept under a rug, and things only become more costly and worse,” Littlefield said.

Morris, who created the temporary shelter pods from garage door materials with his friend Bill Higginbotham, spoke at the meeting. He believes now is a better time than any to bring the concept to the city. His own experience with sleeping outside, working in a soup kitchen at the Real Life Church, as well as growing up in poverty is what keeps his enthusiasm high.

“Our homeless community is growing. We can't deny that. So, I'm a very proactive person. This is more than just being excited about an idea. I've lived it. I've lived it, so therefore I understand it,” Morris said. “We have a chance to be the leaders in this community. To do something.”

Morris answered questions from the committee. Members had concerns about potential injuries, creating master keys in the event of an emergency, where they would be placed, and where someone staying inside one would use the bathroom. They also asked about cost, and who would be responsible for building them.

Morris said the pods cost roughly $250 each to build, with the donated materials, and Morris already has a team willing to construct them.

“We have a builder, and I have a crew that is also willing to help build, of men and women to build more,” Morris said.

Morris is interested in having 10 to 12 pods available in the city. Regarding funding, Littlefield proposed the idea of using funds from the humanities endowment, an award from the Endowment for Health to the city for $20,000 to be used to encourage trust-making and community engagement. Part of that award is also being used for the Martin Luther King Day event this weekend. Committee member Carrie Chandler said the money will be the easy part, compared with finding the land to put them on.

“I think the money to get these would come easy, super easy. I really believe that,” she said. “I think it's the land. Where's the land? That's going to be the sticking point.”

The committee seemed to be on board with the pods, if they could find a place to put them. Members raised concerns about whether businesses would want such pods nearby. But committee member David Osman raised concerns about how the pods would fare legally. While he likes the idea, he believes the first step should be understanding if the pods would fall under permissible use, or need a special exception.

“Even if they're successful from a social point of view, if there's going to be a challenge to that and you lose that challenge, everything goes down the drain,” Osman said.

Littlefield made a motion to form a subcommittee to further study use of the pods. The motion was tabled to be considered at the next meeting, after research is done on permissible use.

When asked about the viability of the pods, Laconia Fire Chief Tim Joubert said he was unfamiliar with the prototype. He has heard of a pod-like shelter made in a factory which has electricity and meets all life safety and fire codes. He also understands the urgency of helping people who are unsheltered.

“We're here to protect the people who live in Laconia, and they are people who live in Laconia,” Joubert said. “If something's going to be done, we just want to make sure it's done the right way.”

Other topics covered during the meeting included the Mingle Café, a discussion group that gives the opportunity for the community to talk about issues important to them. Another topic was a program the committee is working on with the Lake Region Mental Health Center to help the public understand more about mental health and reduce its stigma. Committee member Faith Pakasuk brought up the idea of featuring trailblazers in Black History like Jackie Robinson during Black Heritage Month to educate the community. A small group will bring a plan back to the committee next month.

The Human Relations Committee also discussed the recent graffiti vandalism that happened downtown last week. Committee member Matt Soza said increased surveillance downtown is what allowed the perpetrators to be caught. He also emphasized that those involved were not Lakes Region residents.

“These were not people from Laconia. Not only they're not from Laconia, they were not from the Lakes Region, not from New Hampshire,” Soza said. “They were from East Falmouth, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, on a skiing trip, and they decided in the middle of night to do this, that this would be a cool thing to do.”

In light of the recent event, the committee drafted a statement condemning the incident. Committee Chair Patrick Wood read it out into the minutes.

“Laconia Human Relations Committee condemns the recent acts of vandalism in downtown Laconia. We also applaud the efforts of the merchants and property owners and the Laconia Police Department for their efforts in identifying and arresting the perpetrators,” Wood said. “The Laconia Human Relations Committee supports all efforts to bring people together to make our community stronger, safer and more just.”