Given the dire nature of California’s homelessness crisis, it should come as no surprise that people are floating some creative solutions.

Take for example, a proposal out of Oakland, where homelessness grew 47% from 2017 to 2019. City Council President Rebecca Kaplan floated a plan to house up to 1,000 homeless residents on a cruise ship in the city’s port. Though it was not an entirely novel idea — cruise ships offered emergency shelter during Hurricane Katrina — the Port of Oakland instantly dismissed the proposal as “untenable,” while Twitter users pointed out the irony of housing people in boats rather than in actual homes. 

Oakland several years ago came up with another controversial solution: move homeless residents out of street encampments and into metal structures more often used as tool sheds. The city’s “cabin communities” have improved in quality over the past few years, and the latest iteration, in West Oakland, includes onsite showers for residents. Supporters say they are warmer, safer, and more humane than sleeping in tents on cement. Detractors argue that the cramped structures are a poor substitute for permanent supportive housing or building affordable apartments.

Cities around the country have jumped on the tiny house craze, building villages of the pint-sized dwellings for homeless residents. 

A grassroots group out of San Diego wants to build a massive shelter to house the city’s homeless population called “Sunbreak Ranch.”

And, recognizing that they are nowhere close to building enough housing for everyone, cities increasingly are resorting to “sanctioned encampments.” In these camps, residents generally sleep in tents on a fenced-in, vacant lot. The lots usually have security, portable toilets and showers. San Diego recently opened two such sites that can serve about 500 people, and San Jose City Council has agreed to follow suit.