Listen to this article now

Are tiny homes the solution to homelessness? Los Angeles seems to think so. Around 66,436 people in Los Angeles County and 41,000 within city limits experience homelessness, so the city devised a plan to help. 

Homelessness in Los Angeles County has been a deep rooted issue for quite some time now. There has not been many successful solutions to assist those who have lost their careers and homes in this city. Solutions, such as clearing homeless encampments and pushing people off the street have been implemented, but this is such a harsh and inhuman act. Clearing out encampments does not help anyone. This action just further displaces people, so it is possible that the Tiny Home Village could help in some way. 

With the help of the the city of Los Angeles and Hope of the Valley through private donations, tiny home villages have been created. They have also received funding from the Trebek foundation (Jeopardy host, Alex Trebek’s foundation). The funding for this project has allowed for hundreds of tiny homes to house the homeless of Los Angeles.

The great thing about this project is that it not only houses people, but it also provides job training placement, counselors, and three meals a day.

Compared to other solutions to homelessness, this seems like a solid plan. Providing a home is one thing, but to also help with employment and food security is amazing! 

The thought of living in such a tiny home might seem a little unconventional, but this is so much better than living on the street or being cramped in shelters. Los Angeles may have found a great solution and hopefully this project will be successful and who knows maybe we will see tiny homes pop up around the entire country.

Are tiny homes a good plan for the homeless in Los Angeles? Let us know in the comments!

This article originally published on GREY Journal.