In the midst of Los Angeles’ multi-million dollar homelessness crisis, makeshift mini-towns are popping up, where homeless individuals construct tiny homes equipped with amenities like TVs and air conditioning, selling them for as low as $100.
This comes just weeks after the California Post highlighted a dismal encampment along the LA River, where a resident tragically died from an overdose shortly thereafter. Now, another hidden community has been discovered in the bustling Fashion District.
On a recent visit, the newspaper encountered a temporary home created by Osvaldo, 38, with an eye-catching exterior of bright orange, green, and yellow.
Inside, these small structures are surprisingly well-built, featuring a bed, a TV, and an air conditioner.
“I… clean every day,” Osvaldo shared, noting that he mops the floors at least once daily.
He described his previous living situation, just a block away, saying, “There were too many fights, there were drugs, everything.” After spending six years homeless in Orange County, he moved to Los Angeles in search of work, relying on odd jobs to get by. “I work to buy food,” he added.
Currently, he’s making temporary homes for others on the street. For around $100, he crafts his version of a wood-framed structure, offering a significant upgrade from living in tents and tarps.
Osvaldo’s own home stands out with its vibrant paint, whereas most others have more muted colors, with some still bearing exposed wood and unfinished structures.
Kathryn, 40, has been homeless for decades and hopes to one day have a living room in her makeshift space. She proudly showed off her small building, which she currently uses as a bedroom and bathroom.
That’s quite basic. Still, she indicated an open area that she plans to convert into a living room.
Back at Osvaldo’s place, there’s a sign of his determination: a small green plant sprouting outside.
“Mung bean. I planted… six, seven… little beans,” he explained.
All of this unfolds as Los Angeles invests enormous sums into a system struggling to provide for its homeless population. Over the past few years, the city has allocated more than $1 billion to homelessness initiatives.
Those experiencing homelessness we talked to expressed feeling under-resourced, with many unable to recall the last time they encountered a support team from the Los Angeles Department of Homeless Services.
The Post reported that a large part of the initiative aimed at moving individuals off the streets and into housing has cost around $300 million. However, about 40% of those who entered the program found themselves back on the streets within months.
