REDONDO BEACH, Calif. — Finding shelter is a new feeling for Benny Pacheco who has spent six long years facing homelessness in Redondo Beach.

“I feel like [I am] invisible. I feel ugly, even though, like, I do the best of my ability to get back on my feet again,” Pacheco said.

Pacheco shared that while he was homeless many people ignored or treated him like an outcast. During the night, he often questioned his safety until he moved into a Pallet Shelter about a week ago.

“You actually get to sleep. You do not have to wake up for every single noise you hear. You’re not like paranoid, that, you know, someone is trying to come up and crack you with a bat,” he said.

Recently, the city of Redondo Beach installed 15 Pallet Shelters to help individuals like Pacheco receive temporary housing. Soon, other areas in Southern California like North Hollywood will be providing the same shelters for the homeless.

One recent study projects the pandemic will increase chronic homelessness in Los Angeles County by 86% over the next four years. The impact creates a greater need for housing and temporary shelters throughout the state. Inside, each pallet shelter comes with a bed, heat and air conditioning, and a small space to keep belongings protected.

Matthew Morash is a case manager with Harbor Interfaith Services that manages the site. Morash shared that the small private spaces are very different from most temporary shelters.

“When we offer shelter, the only shelter that’s available and they say no. It is frustrating because we do not like to see them on the streets like that. Some of them, you know, are near death and so to be able to have each city take responsibility for its homeless, it means a lot,” Morash said.

Pallet, a social purpose company, designed the temporary shelters to be set up in about 30 minutes. Each shelter features an aluminum frame, insulated walls, standard safety equipment, and a locking door. 

A statement of from Pallet states:

"Over the past year, Pallet has created more than 1,500 new shelter beds for people experiencing homelessness, and a large percentage of those new beds are in California. For 2021, we’re in discussion with cities across the nation to build even more shelters, helping those experiencing homelessness to find stability."

While these temporary shelters are providing a safe space for Pacheco, it is also helping him connect with needed services like food, job placement, and permanent housing to help him get back on his feet.

“I’m optimistic about it, you know. I think they are going to, I know, they are going to get us off the street,” Pacheco said.

Pacheco is hopeful that through his safe space he will soon find a place to call home.