Developing Housing at Sea: A Case for Humanitarian Assistance and Residency Vessels

The shipping industry, and especially, the cruise and ferry sector have experienced substantial blue growth in recent years. This chapter aims to elucidate the arguments for the use of passenger vessels as a semipermanent and shore-connected housing or residency options, primarily within the European Union, the UK and the USA with anecdotes presented from other regions as well. Not only can passenger vessels be developed in the private sector with cabins and suites for permanent sale, with the possibility of targeting low-income groups, but these vessels can also be utilized in the humanitarian sector and during emergencies. Using anecdotal evidence, including newspaper articles, personal interviews, and scientific literature, this chapter compiles nonconfidential information from passenger shipping companies, which have been involved in the development of the residency vessel sector globally and have participated in the development of products ranging from luxury private accommodation to vessels catering to displaced persons and homeless populations. The sector is viewed as a potential blue growth strategy for coastal cities and ports due to the development of infrastructure, resources, and support needed to develop and sustain these projects. More research is needed in this area to further evaluate the benefits to local communities and affected populations as the current research on this topic is almost nonexistent, fragmented (where present) and unreliable.