The death of big box stores could lead to a new kind of homeless housing. Here's what that might look like

The steep decline of big box stores like Kmart and JCPenney has made way for a host of new development. In recent years, a string of vacant malls and retail chains have been converted into everything from classrooms and office space to churches and trampoline parks.

As merchants like Amazon continue to dominate online shopping, economists estimate that another

Recently, developers have begun to view these spaces as a possible solution to a growing national housing crisis.

In

The project has its own retail space, which adorns an entry path to the mall.

The project has its own retail space, which adorns an entry path to the mall. BusinessInsider

Additional amenities include a kitchen, laundry room, gym, training room, library, computer center, reading room, and outdoor dining area.

The facility features pod-style bedrooms, a temporary shelter, and eight apartment units above the retail space.

The facility features pod-style bedrooms, a temporary shelter, and eight apartment units above the retail space. BusinessInsider

The longer a resident stays in the program, the more privacy they are afforded with their rooming accommodations.

Bedrooms come in three sizes: 20-bed pods, 12-bed pods, or a two-bed room.

Bedrooms come in three sizes: 20-bed pods, 12-bed pods, or a two-bed room. BusinessInsider

The rooftop has an area for recreational space, including a basketball court.

The rooftop has an area for recreational space, including a basketball court. BusinessInsider

It also features a garden, where residents can grow fresh produce to be used in the kitchen or food shops below.

Support is made available in the form of a clinic, meditation space, and pet therapy services.

Support is made available in the form of a clinic, meditation space, and pet therapy services. BusinessInsider

The design is intended to be uplifting, said Senden.

Like a co-living space, residents are expected to rotate household chores such as cleaning the cafeteria or working in the kitchen.

Like a co-living space, residents are expected to rotate household chores such as cleaning the cafeteria or working in the kitchen. BusinessInsider

The facility also incorporates renewable energy practices like solar power.

The facility also incorporates renewable energy practices like solar power. BusinessInsider

designers, landowners, developers and, yes, even politicians. "

The death of big box stores could lead to a new kind of homeless housing. Here's what that might look like

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