In Oakland, California there is an artist named Gregory Kloehn who actually dumpster dives for a living. He collects random pieces of trash and other materials that have otherwise been discarded. What he does with these pieces of garbage is incredible. He uses the garbage and his talents to better his community and hone his skills at the same time. Kloehn takes the pieces of garbage and builds micro-homes to shelter homeless people on the streets of his community. Take a look at these awesome little dwellings.
Kloehn sifts through garbage to find the right materials for his project.
His art and talent gives hope and happiness to those who have no hope.
The dwellings are small enough to be mobile but still provide a place to get out of the elements and call home. The homeless homes are about the size of a sofa.
It started when a homeless man walked to his shop asking for a tarp. Gregory Kloehn had some materials lying around and very quickly decided to give the man much more than just a tarp. He gave the homeless man a home.
His homes are gaining a lot of attention from the media and the community.
Each home has wheels and is weather-tight and has a pitched room to allow rain to drain off.
The owners are able to relocate the houses if needed very easily.
These micro homes are very sturdy and a lot more comfortable than the homeless community is used to making for a pleasant change in lifestyle.
The main material used in these homes is discarded pallets.
Kloehn started his career making sculptures but wanted a change and this new venture is something he takes great pride in.
His focus is housing those without houses which has a reward far greater than he could have imagined.
The happiness and comfort that he creates for people is priceless in his eyes.
A homeless woman that he knows very well, Wonder, is ecstatic about the work he does for his community and also uses one of his homes.
Wonder states that her new home is the nicest place she’s lived in over 5 years.
Kloehn even published a book about his work called “Homeless Architecture”
The houses are made of other people’s trash but you would never tell by looking at them.
In the beginning he was planning on selling the tiny homes until the man came into his shop asking for a tarp.
He realized that this man could use the tiny house he was working on and passed it along as a friendly gesture.
Each little home is unique in its own way but all provide a place to call home and get out of the elements!
They are all made from random objects he finds in the trash so creativity is key.
Kloehn knows he cannot build a home for all of Oakland’s homeless.
However he does plan to continue building these homes as long as there is garbage for building materials.
This home is pretty awesome and completely weather tight. A washing machine door for a window and a fridge door for the entry make for unique features.
It even has a shade awning to relax under.
Gregory is thinking about teaching a class so that others may be able to provide these accommodations in their own communities and put a dent in the growing homeless population.
More Info: Gregory Lincoln Kloehn
Gregory uses trash and completely changes someones life with it. Many people have even donated money to him through his Facebook page to support his cause to help the homeless. If more people dedicated their creativity to a cause like this the impact on humanity would be epic. These people who have all but lost hope are given something that could turn their lives around forever all from the kindness of one mans heart.