Local Man Builds Tiny Homes for the Homeless
These days, tiny homes are all the rage: when it comes to houses, it turns out size doesn’t really matter much at all. But Elvis Summers of Los Angeles proves that something else does: the willingness to offer a helping hand to a perfect stranger.
Elvis Summers spends his summers (and the other seasons) building tiny homes out of unwanted, discarded materials. After completion, he gives these houses to homeless men and women free of charge so that they have a place of safety and solace to call their own. His efforts have helped minimize homelessness in his city and the surrounding areas. And he’s just getting started.
Elvis met Lorenzo in 2015 – a homeless veteran who lost his wife to cancer before losing his home shortly after. He’d been living on the streets for the better part of four decades – on and off and on again. Despite his situation, Lorenzo’s passion for animals has never deterred: he owns three rescue dogs – Sharlina (the Chihuahua), Squeezums, and Bobo (the two bigger dogs). They travel with him everywhere, making the foursome a familiar and welcoming sight.
The connection Elvis felt with Lorenzo (and the connection Lorenzo had with his canine companions) compelled Elvis to partner with Jasmine, the founder of Cause4Paws. Cause4Paws is a local organization that specializes in providing sanctuary to the neglected and abandoned. They rescue strays and dogs from high-risk shelters in hopes of placing them in loving homes.
Together, Elvis and Jasmine vowed to get Lorenzo and his furry friends off the streets and under a roof. Cause4Paws began the process by using money from their donation fund to put Lorenzo and his pets in a motel while his house could be constructed.
As the fab four escaped the heat, Elvis got to work – he hadn’t left the building; rather, he was making the building. Using wood, metal, glass and other materials slotted for disposal, Elvis transformed the unwanted into the desired. Of course, he had the help of volunteers. When everyone finished, Lorenzo received the key and opened the door for the very first time. It might be safe to assume that the Chihuahua was the only dog that he carried over the threshold.
Elvis completed his work and moved on to other houses – more homes to build for the homeless in need. Jasmine’s duty, however, wasn’t done. Over the past two years, she’s raised money to help Lorenzo purchase a larger trailer. She’s also taken his dogs to the vet for their annual checkups and appointments. Others have stepped up as well by donating items that allow Lorenzo to protect his house and keep his family safe. He now has a home that’s all his and he’s especially grateful to get his dogs out of the relentless California sun.
Anyone who believes that one person can’t make much of a difference in this world should take a lesson from this story. It’s not the size of your house that matters; it’s only the size of your heart.
And people named Elvis are pretty dang cool.