Homeless Angelenos Build Tiny Homes with TVs and AC, Sell Them for $100

A makeshift mini-town is rising in LA's Fashion District as the homeless construct and sell their own tiny living spaces.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:24am

A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic tiny home structure repeated in a tight grid pattern, utilizing flat, vibrant, and unnatural neon color palettes overlapping with heavy black photographic outlines to turn the makeshift housing into modern pop art.Makeshift tiny homes built by the homeless in Los Angeles' Fashion District offer a glimpse into the city's ongoing struggle to address its homelessness crisis.Los Angeles Today

A homeless man named Osvaldo in Los Angeles is building tiny homes for people in the city's Fashion District, charging $100 to $150 per home. Some of these structures come complete with air conditioners and TVs. The homes provide a clear step up from tents and tarps, as the city continues to struggle with its homelessness crisis despite spending millions on efforts to move people off the streets.

Why it matters

This story highlights the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the homeless population in Los Angeles, who are taking matters into their own hands to create basic shelter and living spaces. It also underscores the ongoing challenges the city faces in addressing homelessness, as traditional housing programs have had limited success in keeping people off the streets long-term.

The details

Osvaldo, a 38-year-old homeless man, is building the tiny homes out of wood and other materials. His own home is brightly painted in orange, green, and yellow, while others are more subdued with exposed wood and unfinished frames. Kathryn, who says she's been homeless for decades, is working on turning one of the unfinished structures into a living space, with plans for a living room. Osvaldo previously lived in a tent and tarp nearby, but said there was "too much fighting... drugs... everything" in that area. He now builds the tiny homes to earn money for food, charging $100 to $150 per home.

  • Osvaldo has been building the tiny homes for an unspecified period of time.
  • The Post visited the makeshift homes on Tuesday.

The players

Osvaldo

A 38-year-old homeless man in Los Angeles who is building the tiny homes and selling them for $100 to $150 each.

Kathryn

A 40-year-old woman who says she's been homeless for decades and is working on turning one of the unfinished tiny homes into a living space.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Too much fighting... drugs... everything”

— Osvaldo

“I work so I can buy my food”

— Osvaldo

What’s next

The city of Los Angeles continues to grapple with its homelessness crisis, pouring millions into programs that have had limited success in keeping people off the streets long-term. The makeshift tiny home community in the Fashion District highlights the need for more innovative and community-driven solutions to address the issue.

The takeaway

This story underscores the resourcefulness and resilience of the homeless population in Los Angeles, who are taking matters into their own hands to create basic shelter and living spaces. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges the city faces in addressing homelessness, despite significant investments in traditional housing programs.