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.
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