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Tiny Houses For Homeless People Put Roofs over Heads
In Time For The Holidays
The Huffington Post I By Robbie Couch
Posted: 11/17/2014 2:36 pm EST j Updated: 11/19/20144:59 pm EST
Occupy Madison isn't so much focused on bringing down the 1 percent as much as its determined to give those at the bottom a hand up.
On Nov. 15, the Wisconsin -based activist group completed construction on three finished for homeless residents in the community,
according to Al Jazeera. One couple and two others will reside in the tiny homes, which were built on private property, as part of the
organization's OM Build initiative focused on providing stable shelter for those living in extreme poverty.
"We had heard about these tiny houses in the media, but mostly in the i owns' " lifestyle," Luca
Clemente of Occupy Madison told Al Jazeera. "We saw that it would be possible to do the same thing for the homeless."
1AOM Build - OM Village Tiny Homes: Occupy Madison, Like Page
Inc added a new photo.
Non -Profit Organization • 9,499 Likes • October 22, 2014
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A joint effort between activists and homeless residents, OM Build hopes to complete the next �1� tase or the prokt t -- six more homes, a
bathroom and community room complete with kitchen and laundry facilities -- by spring, according to Al Jazeera.
The tiny home initiative relies heavily on private donations and contributions from volunteers.
Occupy Madison, which resulted from the nationwide movement against Wall Street wealth in 2011, has focused its efforts on combating
homelessness in the Wisconsin capital since its inception. Last December, OM Build completed its first tiny house: a 98- square -foot home
with a roof, insulated walls, bathroom and kitchen for Betty Ybarra.
"It's exciting," Ybarra, who'd previously been living in a tent, told NBC 15 News. She moved into her new residence on Christmas Eve. "I've
never owned my own house."
The group's newest homes are move -in ready in time for this year's holidays, and residents wasted no time in stringing up some festive decor
to match the season.
Photo: OM Build
OM Build is one of several initiatives across the country implementing or considering tiny home communities as an effective way to fight
homelessness. In August, Portland, Oregon, moved forward in alr„proving plans to utilize public land in order to construct tiny homes for
low- income residents. Similar projects have seen successful in New York and Texas communities, too, Reuters reported in May.
"Before people can get back on their feet and take advantage of job training and drug and alcohol counseling, they need a place to live,"
Multnomah County Chairwoman Deborah Kafoury said of Portland's tiny home plans, according to the Oregonian. "This klelp§ arSomplish
thdI
To learn how you can support OM Build, visit the organization's website.
$' Al Like Us On Fac_eb_o_ok—
MORE: Homelessness Homelessness Homelessness Madison Madlson
Homelessness Occupy Madison Urban Proaress
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19 Comments Sort by i Top
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Deb :orig
What a wonderful thing.... I hope it spreads throughout the country.
Like • Reply • Nov 19, 2014 11:46am
Jon Hollingsworth • Team Beachbody Coach at Striving for Health
Portland also has Dignity Village -it's a great concept for the homeless! More
cities should be doing this.
Like • Reply • 6 1 • Nov 19, 2014 9:47am
E "` John'Strickla ;ad • Tallahassee Community College
In Munich in some of the parks in the city, They have sections set aside for tiny
" houses. retired people live in them. They have little picket fences and a small
little garden plot. They have been there for 40 years or more.
Like • Reply • 15 2 • Nov 19, 2014 9:07am
Sharon Lukes dippel • Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Having a decent living space to "call your own" goes along way in boosting
someone's self worth. It's almost impossible to start to rebuild your life if you
are living in a cardboard box or under a bridge freezing or suffocating from
heat with no creature comforts. Having a decent place to read a book, fill out a
job application or just get a good night's sleep is a good first step. There are
so many vacant areas in every city and it wouldn't be that difficult to create eye
pleasing communities with these little houses.
Like • Reply • 15 6 • Nov 19, 2014 8:26am
Nate Beck • Madison, Wisconsin
Most days, it can be tough to admit I live in Wisconsin. When I saw this on the
news a few nights ago, I certainly felt proud to be living in Madison, WI. Here's
to hoping the tiny house concept continues to spread.
Lke • Reply - Nov 19, 2014 8:20am
Scott Kennedy • Teacher &Trainer at Self- Employed
That is a wonderful idea! There are pre- constructed "little" buildings such as
these that are prefabricated and not all that expensive. I don't want the
government to put their hands on this. They will only hurt the progress and
cause more problems. The project is best when it comes directly from the
community and the hearts of the volunteers.
Like • Reply • l`5 2 • Nov 19, 2014 7:05am
Jan Garver
They remind me of dog houses. Kind of degrading for a human, but I'm not
homeless either. The problem will be with what neighborhood to place them in.
Like • Reply • Nov 19, 2014 5:07am
Barbara Impagliazzo • Minneapolis, Minnesota
It is most certainly better than a cardboard box or having No place to
sleep that is sheltered.
Like • Reply • 6 4 - Nov 19, 2014 6:27am
Scott Kennedy • Teacher &Trainer at Self- Employed
LA Jan, Have you ever looked for an apt. in NYC? LOL The amount of
space in these little homes is about what you get for a studio apt. in
NYC. I am sorry you see "dog houses" and not adequate rescue
housing for the homeless.
Like • Reply • e'% 3 • Nov 19, 2014 7:12am
Virginia Stanley • Wiscasset, Maine
AS long as problems are not concentrated in such a community.Like a ghetto
for the homeless or low income blocks.
Like • Reply - Nov 19, 2014 4:42am
PqJustin R Lashley - Maloney • Borough of Manhattan Community
College /LUNY
this is why rent is so expensive and people are just so happy about it........
Like • Reply • Nov 19, 2014 4:36am
Justin R Lashley - Maloney • Borough of Manhattan Community
Fill College /CUNY
shouldn't they just build one big house with several different room?
Like • Reply • Nov 19, 2014 4:30am
Gianine Carbone • Austin, Texas
Would you like living with a bunch of strangers?
Like • Reply = 2 • Nov 19, 2014 5:13am