Rogue Tiny Homes Emerge in LA's Homeless Crisis

Shut out of city services, some homeless build their own mini-town with DIY shelters selling for $100

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:07am

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph depicting the interior of a small, makeshift dwelling, with a bed, television, and other personal items visible through the hazy, dreamlike composition, conceptually representing the makeshift living conditions of those left behind by the city's homelessness services.As LA's homelessness crisis persists, some residents have resorted to building their own unsanctioned shelters, creating an underground community of DIY tiny homes.Los Angeles Today

In the heart of Los Angeles' Fashion District, a makeshift community of tiny homes has sprung up, built by homeless residents like Osvaldo who are taking matters into their own hands. These brightly painted, self-furnished structures offer a step up from tents and tarps, with amenities like TVs and air conditioning. Osvaldo has constructed nearly 10 of these $100 tiny homes for others on the street, as the city's $1 billion homelessness system struggles to keep up.

Why it matters

This underground community highlights the desperation of those left behind by LA's official homelessness efforts, which have struggled to make a dent in the crisis despite massive funding. With many homeless residents saying they rarely see outreach workers, some are resorting to building their own informal shelters, raising questions about the effectiveness of the city's approach.

The details

Osvaldo, a 38-year-old homeless man, has built a vibrant orange, green and yellow tiny home for himself in the Fashion District, complete with a bed, TV and air conditioning. He has also constructed nearly 10 similar structures for other homeless individuals, selling them for around $100 each. These makeshift homes offer a clear step up from tents and tarps, but remain unsanctioned and outside the city's official homelessness programs. Meanwhile, homeless residents like Kathryn, 40, are in the process of building out their own basic shelters, describing plans for a living room and other amenities.

  • Osvaldo has been homeless in Los Angeles for several years, after previously spending 6 years homeless in Orange County.
  • In recent weeks, The California Post has exposed other unsanctioned homeless encampments in the LA area, including one along the LA River where a resident died of an overdose.

The players

Osvaldo

A 38-year-old homeless man who has built a vibrant tiny home for himself in LA's Fashion District, and has constructed nearly 10 similar structures to sell to other homeless individuals for around $100 each.

Kathryn

A 40-year-old homeless woman who is in the process of building out her own basic shelter, with plans for a living room and other amenities.

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What they’re saying

“I clean up... every day. I mop my floors at least once a day.”

— Osvaldo

“It was 'Too much fighting... drugs... everything,' he said of where he used to stay.”

— Osvaldo

What’s next

The city of Los Angeles will likely need to address the growing issue of these unsanctioned homeless shelters, as they raise concerns about safety, legality and the overall effectiveness of the city's $1 billion homelessness strategy.

The takeaway

This underground community of DIY tiny homes highlights the desperation of those left behind by LA's official homelessness efforts, which have struggled to make a dent in the crisis despite massive funding. With many homeless residents saying they rarely see outreach workers, some are taking matters into their own hands, building their own informal shelters and raising questions about the city's approach.