Mission Statement




Goal: 36
Start: #10
Current: 12

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Tent Cities for the Homeless

A-Z Challenge = Tent Cities , Trespassing, Tiny Houses

Tent cities spring up near railroad tracks, bridges, underpasses and wooded areas.  They can be quite small with a handful of homeless, or larger inside large city limits. The above picture is a make shift tent and if you click you can see others behind in the woods.  Obviously, the police are checking something out.  In many areas they are told they can't be there, they're on someone's land, it's a health hazard.  Sometimes they're arrested and the belongings bulldozed.  Some communities leave them alone.
 Another make shift area in a wooded area.
 Not a great way to live, but some actually feel safer in these tent cities then inside at shelters because they can control the situation and who's there.  And there's never enough room for everyone at shelters so people try to live in little groups, looking out for each other, and each others stuff.
In cities, the tent cities tend to be more like this, actual tents that people have given them.  Some pile their goods up during the day and as night falls the tents pop out.  Nationally, local governments and police are cracking down on the tent cities.  Some communities are building additional shelters once they realize the numbers needing housing.

It's a catch 22, many have no where else to go, yet they don't, in most cases have the legal right to camp wherever they choose.  A difficult problem.  Some reports suggest abandoned houses ought to be utilized to house homeless, some are building little houses that are merely a place to sleep in locations where tent cities used to be.

 Certainly these look nicer then the tent cities, how they would be maintained might be a question.  But variations of these little houses are popping up in small groups around the country as a means to help.
These appear to be on wheels and are almost a dumpster type size.  I saw pictures of some that were half as tall, meant to be a place to sleep made from dumpster and storage crates.

I don't know if this is a good solution or one that will catch on and be sustainable, but it's a start and I think it's good to see something being done that's positive.



  1. At least there are people out there trying to address the problem and come up with solutions. I don't know if that's the answer either but, at least for the night, it will get a person out of the elements. This is a good thing. With the shelters only taking in a few people at a time, there needs to be more done. This looks like a start in the right direction. Thanks Sandy. :)

  2. My sentiments exactly Bunny. It may not work, but at least something is being done. I've not been able to find any information to date about how these structures will be maintained, cleaned etc, and hope a plan has been thought out and put into effect so they don't end up with the same problems the tent cities do, with over crowding, and health issues and communities being fearful and not wanting them there etc.

  3. I understand it all comes down to money but, why can't the city or town buy some land to put these on? Where there are all together. I mean no disrespect to people who live in trailer parks but, these look a lot better than the parks I've seen. I have also seen some pretty nice double wide trailers also but, for the most part, these parks are not taken care of either. The trailers are run down, trash all over. These people have shelter nonetheless. The homeless should have this also. If even for a night.

    1. I know, there has to be solution Bunny and I hope this is the beginning of it.

  4. I am glad to see some of the people around the country are trying to find a solution to help the homeless. These miniature houses are a good thing in my book. Sherry K

  5. already on letter T. Those tiny huts do look colourful, as if someone has been both practical and artistic. Good to read too about the response in some places to build more shelters...and what else is possible. I have been talking about your website in our knit and natter group and someone knows of a charity in the UL that welcomes hand knits for homeless people, so although your people wont benefit directly from my knitting- someone will

    zannie A-Z

    zannierose A-Z

  6. Hi Sandy! It is my first time to visit your blog. What you do to help people in need is amazing!

    1. Hi Maria, glad you popped in, hope to see you again. Please join us

  7. This is my first visit, what an amazing blog. If my crcochet skills ever improve beyond small cat toys, I will make something to donate.

    1. Don't see you and your skill short. Bet you could crochet a scarf, I think making little things can be harder then something that lies flat. Give it a try.

  8. I haven't heard about the tiny houses for the homeless. I think it is a good idea. They would be warmer than a tent in the wind and rain.

    1. It would help alot probably with wind, but I'm not sure it would be warmer then a tent. A small tent can be warm from one's body heat...or at least it seemed that way when hubby and I camped, where as a box without heat could be cold. But, they certainly are better than the cardboard camps etc.

  9. I really like the idea of the little houses. More cities should invest in those to give the homeless some dignity.

    1. I hope this catches on, just wish I knew how things would be maintained; but only time will tell if this works. I agree we need to provide some dignity to these folks. Haven't seen you here on Bridge and Beyond in eons Rachele, how nice to see you again.

  10. Hi Sandy, just dropping by to thankyou for your lovely comment on my blog x
    Reading about your work is inspiring-I wish there were more people like you x

  11. The small huts look good but somehow it feels like too little, too late.




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