Just sustainabilities can be thought of as an infusion of ideas of equity and justice intertwined with environmental sustainability. The argument, put simply, was that sustainability cannot be simply a ‘green’, or just environmental’ concern. A truly sustainable society is one where wider questions of social needs, welfare, and economic opportunity are integrally related to environmental limits.

“I define just sustainabilities as the ability of people as individuals and communities to have a good quality of life and wellbeing, delivered in a just and equitable manner while living within the limits of supporting ecosystems,” says Agyeman.

Just sustainabilities, based on Julian Agyeman’s concepts, seeks to establish a framework that promotes not only environmental sustainability but also social justice and equality. It seeks to solve the interrelated issues of

improving the quality of life for all people, 

meeting the needs of present and future generations, 

promoting justice and equity in decision-making processes and outcomes

living within the limits of supporting ecosystems. 

Just sustainabilities emphasizes the need to take into account different points of view, cultural settings, and the interconnectedness of social and environmental challenges in order to achieve sustainable and equitable outcomes for everyone.

Sustainable housing projects 

To alleviate homelessness, the City of Portland established the Safe Rest Villages initiative, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan, these villages are run by contracted social care organizations chosen by the Joint Office of Homeless Services. This initiative provides temporary, controlled outdoor shelters that include sleeping quarters, sanitary facilities, case management, and behavioral health services. The program accepts referrals exclusively, with first responders, Park Rangers, and other social service professionals interacting with homeless people. The program’s goals include lowering entrance barriers, providing basic services, and making it accessible to individuals of all abilities. Community participation is prioritized, with stakeholder groups representing communities and local interests collaborating to provide clear lines of communication and handle concerns as they emerge. Program funding comes from the American Rescue Plan’s local recovery funds, which will provide an extra $28.1 million to support the Safe Rest Village program through the end of December 2024. The initiative was initially funded with $16.02 million from the City of Portland. The $208 million allotted to the City of Portland by the American Rescue Plan must be used by December 31, 2026. The city of Portland’s dedication to openness and responsibility in allocating funds to assist homeless people, families, companies, and community organizations is reflected in the program’s advancement, successes, and outcomes, which are posted on the ARPA Rescue Plan Open Data website.

In February 2021, the Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission opened the first Tiny Home Village in Los Angeles, which is located on Chandler Boulevard. Five other Tiny Home Villages have since been built by the City of Los Angeles: Whitsett West, Alexandria Park, Tarzana Sun Flower Cabin Community, Reseda Cabin Community, and Arroyo Seco. With the backing of Mayor Eric Garcetti and some city council members, these towns seek to solve homelessness in the Greater Los Angeles Area. Each of the 40 separate living units in each Tiny Home Village offers 64 square feet of living space with conveniences like power, air conditioning, and laundry facilities. The locations are run by the nonprofit homeless services provider Harbor Interfaith Services, which provides wraparound services like case management, housing navigation, life skills training, substance use disorder treatment, and healthcare services in collaboration with the Venice Family Clinic.The creative and cooperative effort to solve homelessness between the City of Torrance and Los Angeles County is shown by the Tiny Home Villages. Every homeowner has access to a personal area that may serve as “a room of one’s own,” suitable for families, couples, and pets. The villages also offer meals and basic sanitary supplies in an effort to establish a secure atmosphere for people as they move into long-term housing. Launched in November 2021, the Arroyo Seco Tiny Home Village provides accommodation, food, bathing, case management, mental health assistance, job training, and placement services to homeless people within a three-mile radius. With more than 60,000 homeless individuals in Los Angeles County, the Tiny Home Villages aim to create history by offering quick, accessible housing as a scalable and cost-effective response to the issue of homelessness.

Are they Just sustainable.

The City of Portland’s Safe Rest Villages initiative is in line with the four just sustainabilities requirements in a number of ways. First, by offering short-term housing, hygienic facilities, case management, and mental health services, the program immediately improves the well-being of those who are homeless. Second, the program adheres to the premise of satisfying the needs of both present and future generations by providing these fundamental services while taking into account the long-term effects of homelessness on future generations. Thirdly, by having minimal entrance barriers, being open to individuals of all abilities, and incorporating community stakeholders in program creation and problem solving, the program stresses justice and equity. Finally, even though the program’s primary goal is to address social concerns, it also indirectly supports environmental sustainability by encouraging responsibility and openness in resource management and by offering controlled outdoor shelters. All things considered, the Safe Rest Villages initiative shows how to approach sustainability holistically, addressing societal needs, taking long-term effects into account, and advancing justice, fairness, and transparency.

The Los Angeles Tiny Home Village plan is in line with the four requirements for just sustainability in a number of ways. First and foremost, it tackles the issue of enhancing quality of life and wellbeing by giving homeless people secure, permanent homes furnished with basic necessities like power, air conditioning, and washing facilities. In order to improve residents’ general well-being and ease their move into permanent housing, the villages provide wraparound services such as case management, housing navigation, life skills training, treatment for drug use disorders, and healthcare. Second, by giving individuals who are homeless temporary shelter and support as well as a route to permanent housing, the Tiny Home Villages help to address the needs of both current and future generations. By accommodating couples, families, and pets, the villages acknowledge their residents’ different needs and seek to provide an inclusive and supportive atmosphere for everyone. Thirdly, the project shows equality and justice in terms of acknowledgement, technique, protocol, and result. The villages address the distinct difficulties experienced by various demographics facing homelessness by focusing on homeless people within certain areas and offering specialized support services. It also shows a commitment to participatory decision-making and equitable resource allocation when government agencies, organizations, and community stakeholders work together. Finally, the Tiny Home Villages solve the homelessness challenge by using creative and scalable solutions, which help people live within the boundaries of the environment. The communities maximize their social benefit while minimizing their environmental impact through the creative reuse of abandoned land and the construction of small, energy-efficient housing units. In general, the program is a prime example of a comprehensive approach to sustainability that puts the health of people, communities, and the environment first.