Pallet, a company providing modular shelters for homeless individuals, announces closure in September 2026 after nine years of operation.

Amy and Brady King, a couple from Washington, founded Pallet in 2017 with the goal of providing modular shelters for people experiencing homelessness. Their company aimed to offer a rapid response to the housing crisis by creating structures that could be transported flat and assembled in under an hour. The system featured durable panels and minimal tools, enabling quick deployment in emergency situations.

Nine years after its creation, Pallet announced it would close its operations in September 2026. Over the years, the company installed hundreds of units and facilitated thousands of overnight stays in the United States and Canada. Its model sought to combine emergency housing with programs that supported access to employment, health care, and permanent housing.

One example of Pallet’s work was in Tacoma, where micro-shelters were authorized and approximately 40 units were incorporated into a camp. The design aimed to create temporary villages with private spaces for individuals and shared facilities like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries. This approach emphasized dignity and community within temporary housing solutions.

In addition to physical shelters, Pallet collaborated with various organizations to provide residents with employment opportunities, health care, and pathways to permanent housing. A 2026 study noted that such initiatives are part of potential responses to the housing crisis, though evidence of their effectiveness remains limited.

According to Pallet’s own figures, the company provided 6,083 beds across more than 100 temporary villages, accommodating approximately 30,000 people. The company also developed a “fair-chance employment” model, linking the manufacturing of shelters with job opportunities for individuals facing barriers to the labor market.

Pallet reported that changes in financing and political priorities have made it increasingly difficult to meet the needs of its clients. Despite these challenges, the company’s work highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions to address housing insecurity and support vulnerable neighbors. As Proverbs 31:8-9 reminds us, we are called to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to defend the rights of the marginalized.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)