In 2022, former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey spent an estimated $82 million to construct a makeshift wall along the United States-Mexico border with shipping containers.
Using over 1,000 containers in the Yuma, Arizona region, the Republican governor covered approximately 3.8 miles — but was later sued by the Department of Justice and agreed to deconstruct the wall.
When current Governor Katie Hobbs — a Democrat — was elected, she said she opposed the wall and, once in office, halted construction once and for all.
“It’s not our land to put things on,” Hobbs told Capitol Media Services in late 2022. “And I think it’s a waste of taxpayer dollars.”
In 2024, Arizona put the shipping containers up for sale, with members of the public eligible to buy them at auction, and nonprofits and government agencies — including a veterans memorial — welcome to purchase them at a flat rate of $2,000 each.
So, that’s what Tucson nonprofit Wholistic Transformation did.
The organization supports youth transitioning out of the foster care system by giving them resources — and now, housing — as they age into adulthood.
“These are young adults who experience a tremendous amount of trauma through no fault of their own,” the nonprofit’s founder and CEO Bryan Benz told AZPM.
“So we’re planning to use some of the shipping containers that were used as a wall between Arizona and Mexico,” he added. “I think there’s a symbolism in the idea that walls are to keep people out, and this container is to be used to create a home.”
The organization’s first home has been constructed from two 20-foot containers side-by-side, offering a total of 320 square feet of living space.
When the full project is completed, there will be 12 total units, made from the same two-container approach. Each individual unit will be move-in ready, including a queen-size bed, couch, television, small kitchen, and full bathroom.
The units will welcome ten young people, along with two on-site “navigators” to help them establish their new lives.
Wholistic Transformation’s vision is not just to put a roof over the heads of these vulnerable young adults, but to give them the resources they need to thrive.
“We don’t just want to work on just their physical needs; we want to address their mental and emotional needs, we want to address their spiritual needs,” David Hughes, a navigator for the organization, told KOLD 13 News.
“We’re trying to set up a mentorship program that is a long-term commitment,” he added. “We’re trying to set up these navigators that live on site with these young people to let them know we’re here for the long haul.”
The city of Tucson only allowed the nonprofit to use these two containers on the lot next to Bethel Community Baptist Church, where the community will be located. But Benz said he hopes it’ll be a blueprint for future efforts.
“We’re using this model home to cast vision throughout our city,” he told KOLD. “We want a groundswell of community involvement, engagement, from volunteers, from donors.”
The first model is nearly finished and will serve as a tourable prototype, with construction on the whole project set to be complete in early 2026.
Residents of the homes will be asked to pay rent, but Benz said that there will be incentives that reduce costs. For example, those going to school or working will see a reduction in rent by $100. Working on the maintenance of the property itself can also reduce the cost to stay there, he told AZPM.
“People need a place to live; They need a safe environment,” Benz added. “You know, what is the responsibility to step up in this area where possible and to be a part of making a difference in affordable housing? Do we have a responsibility? I feel we do.”
Header image courtesy of Wholistic Transformation
