by Leigh Christy

The EDAR, a four-wheeled combination cart and sleeping unit created for use by people experiencing homelessness, is beginning to make its presence known in the greater Los Angeles area.

Designed by Eric Lindeman and Jason Zasa while still in school at Pasadena Art Center College of Design, this modified shopping cart was their solution to a problem posed by local philanthropist Peter Samuelson: improve upon the cardboard box by designing a mobile, single-person shelter.

Sixty prototypes hit the streets beginning in fall 2008, and EDAR, Inc., the nonprofit organization founded by Samuelson, is hoping to release another 1,000 in the near future.

Inside Shelters and Out

While the Rand Corporation completes an efficacy study on these initial units, EDAR, Inc. is already having trouble keeping up with increasing demand.

According to the organization, the units are currently being used in three ways. In shelters, the EDARs are deployed as additional beds. Cheaper and faster than building new facilities or expanding existing ones, the units can provide a stop-gap solution to the shortage of shelter beds, while also offering some additional privacy to residents.

The EDAR — which stands for Everyone Deserves a Roof — is also being given directly to homeless clients who are reluctant or unable to enter traditional shelters.   >>>

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SUBSCRIPTION SAMPLE The EDAR mobile shelter was designed by Eric Lindeman and Jason Zasa. Photo: Ryan Jurisich The EDAR ("Everyone Deserves A Roof") converts between "day mode" (pictured here) and "night mode," in which it easily sleeps one adult. Photo: Leigh Christy Extra Large Image   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.