Released on = July 19, 2007, 5:37 am

Press Release Author = Self Storage Promotions

Industry = Consumer Services

Press Release Summary = Steel containers are being turned into affordable housing.
It's a solution that many communities are adopting as the portable storage industry
continues to find new and innovative uses for its products.

Press Release Body = KANSAS CITY, MO. (JULY 19, 2007) - The affordable housing
debate is raging from coast to coast as cities recommend strategic plans to
accommodate teachers, police offers and other workers whose salaries don't keep pace
with rising home values. Many of these initiatives, however, are long-term plans for
a very immediate problem.

The statistics are telling. For every 100 very low-income renters, only 76
affordable rental units are currently available, according to the Department of
Housing and Urban Development. What's more, for the 14.8 million U.S. households
that make $10,000 or less per year, a year's rent costs about 70 percent of their
annual income, reports American Fact Finder.

"Construction costs are rising, despite the downturn in the residential real estate
sector. And although home values are declining in some regions of the country,
housing is still not affordable for many," said John Finnessy, CMP, Executive
Director the National Portable Storage Association, or NPSA, a nonprofit membership
association dedicated to the advancement of the portable storage industry. "Portable
storage containers offer an economical alternative to new construction."

Indeed, so-called "container homes" are springing up across the nation. Portable
storage containers are being transformed into actual hurricane-proof, fire-resistant
homes with a "no termite" guarantee. The 32,000-pound containers, some as large as
20-by-48 feet, can be used as the framework of a beautiful new home. Call it 21st
century recycling. The concept is finding acceptance in communities like St.
Petersburg, Fla. and Atlanta, Ga., where multi-story dwellings are being built as a
solution to affordable housing issues.

"Portable storage containers can be turned into a home in a matter of days,
sometimes a single day," said NPSA Operations Manager Joel Rathbone. "I've heard
estimates that these container homes can run about 65 percent of the total buildout
cost of a traditional, bricks and mortar or cinderblock home. Once again, portable
storage finds a new use for a new challenge."

For more information, visit www.npsa-us.org.

The National Portable Storage Association
The National Portable Storage Association is dedicated to the advancement of the
portable storage industry. We at the NPSA are here to serve those in the portable
storage industry who rent, sell or lease containers, trailers and mobile offices.
The NPSA assists members with industry, regulatory and workforce issues; plus,
offers members networking, marketing and legislative support at national, state and
local levels.

PR Contact:
Jennifer LeClaire
Self Storage Promotions
954.454.0072
jennifer@selfstoragepromotions.com
www.selfstoragepromotions.com



Web Site = http://www.npsa-us.org

Contact Details = Jennifer LeClaire
Self Storage Promotions
954.454.0072
jennifer@selfstoragepromotions.com
www.selfstoragepromotions.com