NYC’s Prefab Post-Disaster Housing Units Unveiled in Brooklyn (PHOTOS)

The next time a devastating storm like <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/hurricane-sandy/">Hurricane Sandy</a> hits New York, we might be a bit more prepared thanks to a new emergency housing prototype that popped up in Brooklyn this week. The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/what-if-new-york-city-competition-winners-announced/">Office of Emergency Management</a> recently unveiled the first products of its new Urban Post-Disaster Housing Prototype Program at Cadman Plaza. Designed by <a href="http://www.garrisonarchitects.com/">Garrison Architects</a>, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/bklyn-designs/garrison-architects-showcases-new-post-disaster-urban-interim-housing-prototype-for-nyc/">shipping container-esque living accommodations</a> can be be shipped and assembled to provide shelter for people who have been displaced by storms or other disaster situations.

The OEM erected three apartment units near its <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/nyc-to-test-out-prefabricated-post-disaster-housing-prototype-in-brooklyn/">Brooklyn offices at Cadman Plaza</a>.

The units demoed in Brooklyn ranged in size from 480 square feet to 813 square feet in size containing one to three bedrooms. Despite their different sizes each unit includes a small balcony, storage space, kitchen, living area, bathroom and bedrooms.

In case of another emergency these structures can be <a href="http://inhabitat.com/bklyn-designs/garrison-architects-showcases-new-post-disaster-urban-interim-housing-prototype-for-nyc/">assembled on-site</a>

The container housing units will provide flood and other disaster victims a place to stay in their neighborhood

. In the coming months OEM and city employees test the sample units.

Meanwhile, the NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering and Pratt University will conduct a study to predict how well the units will preform as living spaces

NYU and Pratt will also study whether these units can restore a neighborhood following a disaster when used in mass.

Some of the units measure 40 feet tall and 100 feet.

With any luck these could save lives and help families in case of another Hurricane Sandy.