Man builds shelter for homeless woman
A homeless woman in Los Angeles has been given a tiny place to call her own by a kind-hearted local looking to make a difference.
After striking up a friendship with a homeless woman named Smokie, Elvis Summers decided to build a small portable shelter for the 60-year-old woman who had been sleeping out in the dirt.
Mr Summers told the Good News Network that he decided to put off paying a few bills so he could buy the materials and hardware to make Smokie a new shelter.
“I had nowhere to really build it, so I just built it in the street outside of my apartment,” he told Good News Network.
“The local LAPD cops have been super cool, and have told me they support it–as long as we move it to a different spot every 72 hours.”
Thanks to his building efforts, which took place over five days, Smokie has a place to call home for the first time in ten years.
She was absolutely delighted with her new shelter and gave Mr Summers a big hug, before hanging a ‘home sweet home’ sign on her new place.
The materials, including two locks on the front door and sturdy wheels for moving it around, cost him about $500.
He noted he had received several requests for more tiny homes, since building Smokie’s shelter.
“It’s turned into much more than just the one house I wanted to build.”
Mr Summers who runs an online retail store, has now launched an ambitious project to fund more shelters.
He has launched ‘Mythpla’ (My Tiny House Project LA) and set up a GoFundMe page for those eager to help him.
For his next round of building Mr Summers plans to use lighter and cheaper materials without sacrificing the strength of the shelter. He has also teamed up with a local supply company who have promised him a good deal on materials for the cause.
“I’d like to offer purpose to these people in need and hire them to build the houses with me,” he added.
He noted he has set up an appointment with LA’s mayor Eric Garcetti to try and get his help.
News break - April 28
