Target: Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson
Goal: Praise City Council’s decision to return the confiscated tiny houses to the homeless.
Earlier this year tiny houses that were donated to the homeless were confiscated by Los Angeles officials. However, due to protests and activism, including petitions on ForceChange, these houses will be returned to the homeless. The minuscule houses are great temporary shelters for the homeless until they can find real housing, and the city council did the right thing by returning them to the homeless.
Elvis Summers, who used to be homeless himself, set out to help people get off the street by creating the Starting Human project. He built 37 tiny houses approximately the size of a parking space with lighting powered by solar panels. They were far from being a comfortable home, but they still provided a roof over their heads, something sleeping in the gutter did not provide.
Then the city saw these houses as a danger, because they “blocked sidewalks and put the neighborhoods at risk.” Sanitation workers were sent to confiscate the houses, which were thankfully stored in a city equipment lot instead of being destroyed.
The confiscation outraged supporters of he tiny houses, who took to social media and the streets to protest. Over 75 protesters stormed City Hall to get the council to reverse their decision. It worked, because recently the council announced that the houses will be returned to the homeless.
The Los Angeles City Council made the right decision to return the houses, and they deserve praise for listening to the demands of the people.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Councilman Wesson,
Thank you for deciding to return the tiny houses to homeless people. These houses provide a great temporary relief from sleeping on the sidewalk. We are happy that you listened to the protesters and realized how beneficial these houses are. For that, we are grateful.
Los Angeles has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the country. The city council is investing in many efforts to help lower these rates, but it will be a while until these efforts make a real impact. That is why the tiny houses are a good idea, since they provide short-term relief until permanent housing plans can take effect.
The city council provided good judgement by deciding to return the confiscated homes. They are in the best interest of the community, and we applaud you for realizing that.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Brion Vibber
Signed & Shared.