The House of Cars

Background

There is an assumption that someone who is homeless got there by drug addiction or laziness. But due to Auckland’s ongoing housing crisis regular families are finding themselves living out of their cars, even as the parents maintain jobs and the children go to school. Lifewise have secured government funding to rent homes long term on behalf of those who are homeless and take on all the risks associated, but what they need is private landlords who are willing to let their homes to them.

Idea

To put people in their shoes The House of Cars was created. Inside people felt the claustrophobia & discomfort of sleeping in a car, that was recreated in an online 360 experience. As they moved through, screens on either side played looping film that put viewers in a car at night, while real stories of those in need were animated into the windscreen’s condensation. Once they’d opened their hearts, they were prompted to rent them their homes by writing their name & number in the condensation.

Results

Lifewise received a 400% increase in enquiries. Over 150,000 people saw the structure in the flesh. But most importantly, housing for up to 100 families has been made available, with a local government agency coming to the party and looking to partner with Lifewise on an ongoing basis. This has the potential to provide safe, clean long term housing for hundreds of those in need, for many years to come.