LoonieFAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

LoonieLand™: A Movement with a Mission. An Initiative with a Plan.
You’ve probably heard of a dozen “solutions” before. So what makes LoonieLand™ different?
Why should you believe in this one?

We get it — skepticism is earned. That’s why we’ve built transparency, flexibility, and lived-experience thinking into every corner of this plan. Below you’ll find answers to the most pressing questions — from practical zoning, to working with addicts, to who’s behind this and what happens next.

This isn’t just another city plan. This is your chance to be part of something real.

1. Why the name LoonieLand™? Isn't it a little insensitive?

We know the word “loonie” can raise eyebrows — and that’s exactly why we chose it.
Not all unhoused people struggle with mental illness. Many are working, capable, and just priced out of stability.
But it’s also true that a significant portion of the homeless population battles mental health challenges — often untreated, often misunderstood, and often invisible.

The name LoonieLand™ is not about mockery or being silly or insensitive — it’s about facing the hardest truth head-on:
The most vulnerable people — those labeled “crazy,” discarded, or feared — are often the ones who need the most care…
And ironically, it’s the “sane” society’s failure to help that keeps the cycle going.

Our name is a reminder:

  • That we cannot fix this crisis by ignoring mental illness
  • That compassion must include the hardest cases
  • That we recoup the sane to care for the insane — because that’s what real community looks like
  • LoonieLand™ isn’t just a shelter — it’s a village that works, especially for those the current system doesn’t.

    • 2. What is LoonieLand™?

    “LoonieLand™: A village that works — for the unhoused and the unheard.”

    LoonieLand™ is a self-sustaining, community-based village, built like a theme park, designed to offer a safe, structured, and dignified place to live — with different zones for different needs. This is not another bureaucratic program. It’s a ground-up solution rooted in respect, purpose, and real-world sustainability.

    3. What do you mean by “For the Unhoused, by the Unhoused”?

    LoonieLand™ is designed to be self-sustaining — not by outsiders, but by the very people it shelters. In our model, capable and motivated unhoused individuals help run the village, support peers, and build a community with purpose. They don’t just receive help — they give it, too. From maintaining safety… to mentoring newcomers… to handling daily operations —

    LoonieLand™ isn’t just for the unhoused. It’s powered by them. Because that’s the real solution: Dignity. Responsibility. Purpose. Not handouts — ownership.

    Just like The Goonies had each other — The Loonies look out for their own.

    4. What is it like inside LoonieLand™?

    LoonieLand™ has 3 zones

  • Zone B Skid Row model, flexible outdoor areas for rough sleepers and those unready for formal housing
    • This setup allows for dignity, safety, and flexibility — helping people transition at their own pace.

  • Zone T: Transitional buffer space
  • Zone A: Structured, supportive core campus

    • 5. What types of unhoused people is LoonieLand™ designed for?

    We understand homelessness isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our zones accommodate:
    - The rough sleepers — People who avoid shelters but want safety and freedom
    - The working unhoused — People with jobs who need low-barrier housing
    - People battling addiction or mental health — With access to harm reduction, support, and structure
    - Disabled or elderly residents — Who need stability and caregiving
    - Unhoused — Seeking belonging and direction
    - Unhoused Couples and families — Who want to stay together in safe environments
    - Unhoused with pets — Who are often denied entry into shelters
    - Unhoused skeptical of government-run shelters
    - Unhoused due to special circumstances

    6. Is LoonieLand™ ready now to move in?

    No, unfortunately LoonieLand™ is still in the early promoting stage.
    We have a fully developed concept, site diagrams, proposal documents, and growing community interest — but we need land, permits, and startup funding to begin.

    Once approved and funded, we estimate the first phase of LoonieLand™ can be operational within 9 to 12 months.
    That includes:
    - Preparing the land
    - Installing essential infrastructure (restrooms, power, fencing, safety measures)
    - Establishing Zone B for outdoor residents and transitional arrivals
    - Launching the self-managed community team

    Your support — through donations, advocacy, or helping us find land — gets us there faster.
    LoonieLand™ isn't a dream.
    It's a blueprint waiting to be built.

    7. What makes LoonieLand™ different from past and current city solutions?

    Most government programs treat homelessness like a math problem.
    We treat it like a human reality.

    City solutions often:
    - Force people into rigid, uncomfortable settings
    - Spend hundreds of thousands per unit
    - Criminalize the visible homeless without helping
    - Ignore what residents actually want

    LoonieLand™ was meant to be built:
    - From the ground up, not top down
    - With multiple zones to match different needs
    - To be affordable, adaptable, and community-run
    - We aren’t just trying to fix the street. We’re building a new path altogether.

    8. How does LoonieLand™ support people struggling with substance abuse? Will drugs be allowed?

    We don’t encourage drug use — we acknowledge it.
    LoonieLand™ is built on harm reduction, focusing on safety, trust, and recovery rather than punishment.
    We support evidence-based treatments like methadone, Suboxone, and other therapies used successfully in Europe.
    Smuggling or dealing isn’t tolerated — because safe, managed options exist inside.
    There’s no need to hide — we’ll work with you, not against you.

    9. What about sex work or sexual activity in the village?

    It already happens on the streets — often dangerously. In LoonieLand™, behavior is monitored, safety is prioritized, and support services are available. We don’t “clean up” appearances — we protect and empower people.

    10. Won’t crime or violence increase inside the village?

    LoonieLand™ offers something the streets don’t: structure and expectations. Clear rules, peer-led mediation, community security, and smart design reduce chaos. When people have ownership, they protect their space.

    11. What makes the unhoused stay in LoonieLand™ once they’re admitted?

    We recognize that for many, the streets offer familiarity, community, and even a sense of control — and forcing people into sterile, institutional settings can feel like a loss of identity.
    That’s why LoonieLand™ is designed to keep what’s comforting about the street, while replacing what’s dangerous.

    We'll build/stage our zone B to replicate Skid Row w/ features like:
    - Store fronts, overpass, park benches, bus stop, etc. - Open-air spaces and rough-sleeper zones with personal flexibility
    - Fire bins for warmth and group gatherings — recreating the campfire circle dynamic
    - Pet-friendly areas, couple-friendly setups, and communal hangouts
    - No forced curfews, but community-led expectations and mutual respect

    Our goal is not to erase street culture — it’s to preserve the good parts while removing the trauma and risk.

    12. Isn’t it risky to gather so many vulnerable people in one place?

    It’s riskier to leave them scattered and unsupported. LoonieLand™ brings visibility, oversight, and community bonds — all of which make outreach and emergency response more effective.

    13. Can LoonieLand™ work alongside other city, county, or university efforts?

    Yes. We don’t compete — we complement. Our land and structure can host programs, testing sites, recovery efforts, and more. We’re not asking cities to change their system — just give ours a chance to succeed alongside it.

    14. How can people help your LoonieLand™ Movement?

    You can help in many ways whether you're an enthusiast or unhoused. Visit our homepage at loonieland.org to:
  • Share our story on social media
  • Sign the petition to show support
  • Join our public forum at LoonieTalk
  • Donate to our GoFundMe
  • Contact your city or county officials and demand real innovation
  • Help us get the word out — because awareness is action

    • The more voices behind us, the faster we can build it.

    15. Is LoonieLand™ affiliated with the government or political groups?

    No. LoonieLand™ is independent and powered by people, not politics. However, we are open to partnerships with those who want to help — as long as they respect our model and mission.

    16. How can I become a Loonie of LoonieLand™ ?

    Eventually, interested individuals can apply for residency through a simple sign-up process. You can request placement in the zone that best fits your situation. We’ll post details on LoonieLand.org when ready.

    17. How is the money used?

    Your donations help cover:
    - Website and communication tools
    - Promotional printing and outreach materials
    - Pilot-stage infrastructure, materials, and support systems
    - If we grow beyond seed funding, funds will go directly into building Loonie Land itself

    Full transparency. No fluff. No waste. No executive salaries

    18. What if this movement fails?

    With your help and support, our movement will not fail! But just in case, then we go down fighting — with honesty, effort, and compassion. But even awareness pushes the system forward. And maybe, just maybe, we finally build something that actually works.