NYC man builds "Tiny House" for his "homeless neighbor" sleeping in the dirt on his street

[Miles Archer]

http://smokie.littlethings.com/tiny-home-smokie-homeless/?utm_source=simp&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=houses

Here in New York City, there are a record number of homeless people, with close to 60,000 men, women, and children on the streets. To say it’s an epidemic is an understatement — and while every person’s circumstances are different, it can be difficult to choose if and when to help. That’s because not every homeless person is like this kind man, who wanted to change his life and used a generous donation to get a fresh start.

Elvis Summers of Los Angeles knew he could give a homeless person something of greater value than cash, something that might otherwise be unattainable on their own. Elvis took a liking to his 60-year-old homeless neighbor, Smokie, who had been sleeping in the dirt on his street and would stop by his home asking for cans.

One morning, Elvis read about a man who jumped on board with the Tiny House Movement and was helping make homes out of discarded material for the homeless. That’s when he was inspired to give Smokie a place of her own. As you can see in the time-lapse video he made, the $500 it cost to make the tiny home was way more valuable than cash.

Best of all? The cops in Elvis and Smokie’s neighborhood support the tiny home, just as long as they move it every 72 hours.

[Cleita]

1. You mean the authorities have finally stopped harassing good samaritans,

who try to help build shelters for the street dwellers, with permit and building code violations? That is some evolution at least.

[newthinking]

2. This is cool.

Thanks for posting it.

[midnight]

3. Miles this is so beautiful thank you for showing and reminding us how to help each other...

[nruthie]

4. Thanks for a much-needed day brightener!

[madamvlb]

5. Wow, this touched my heart!

Thanks for posting.

[mahannah]

6. This is wonderful, but move every 72 hours?

[Miles Archer]

7. Since it is curbside I assume they are treating it like a parked car.

My sister used to go through this all the time. She didn't like people parking in front of her house but one of the neighbors eyeballed that space and called the cops to complain. After that, if she hadn't gone out, she'd move the car and then move it back.

[yuiyoshida]

8. While this is really cool...

I can't imagine any city letting it stand, and most will haul it away. If he had it on his own property, say in the back yard, that would work, but on the side of the road, its a prime target for the City garbage trucks to break it up and haul it away.

[LoisB]

10. What a wonderful young man.