L.A. Cracks Down on Tiny Houses for Homeless
Elvis Summers turned the tiny home trend into a viral campaign to bring innovative shelters to homeless men and women living in and around Los Angeles. He’s raised more than $85,000 in crowdfunding for the project, called Tiny House, Huge Purpose, and received an overflow of volunteers and building materials.
City officials, however, are not so thrilled. According to the Los Angeles Times, senior assistant city attorney Valerie Flores said at a committee hearing Monday evening that the tiny homes are considered “bulky items.” Bills passed earlier this year in an attempt to crackdown on homeless encampments permit authorities to seize such items without notice.
The tiny homes have sparked a serious debate, but are just a small part of the complicated puzzle. Los Angeles has a growing homeless population – one that rose by 12 percent in the past two years. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority estimates 44,300 people spend each night living on the streets, in cars, abandoned buildings and independent and government-funded shelters.
Summers reached out to city officials in May when the project first launched. He told the Los Angeles Times that officials have not responded to multiple requests.
“They’re stupid if they think I won’t file a lawsuit of my own,” said Summers.
Elvis Summers, the Man Behind the Mobile Homes
Elvis Summers built the first tiny home for a 60-year-old woman named Irene “Smokie” McGhee, after discovering she was sleeping on the streets in his South Los Angeles neighborhood. (Photo: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
The interior is bare, but gives the homeless a private place to sleep and hold their belongings. (Photo: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Tiny House, Huge Legal Headache
The 8-foot-long building, which cost less than $500 to make, is considered an eyesore by some city officials. The Los Angeles Times reports that Councilman Joe Buscaino said at a committee hearing, "These wooden shacks are not the real estate I’m looking for in my district.” (Photo: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Updated Houses With the Help of Donations
Since launching the campaign and receiving donations from contractors, builders and other volunteers, the tiny homes have improved. (Photo: Tiny House, Huge Purpose)
The City Is Cracking Down on Tiny Houses
Still, the tiny houses are considered “bulky items,” which recently passed bills in attempt to crackdown on homeless encampments allow authorities to seize without notice. Senior assistant city attorney Valerie Flores believes the city could face lawsuits if someone were injured in one of the homes while on the street. (Photo: Tiny House, Huge Purpose)
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