So the other night I was checking out the news and heard about something new that Los Angeles is implementing. It’s called EDAR - Everyone Deserves a Roof. It is a portable bed that allows the person to collect cans during the day and then it morphs into a bed for them too. Check it out …
I’m VERY intrigued by this project. I mean there are SO many homeless folks in Los Angeles and this could be something good to help the shelters have more beds. Apparently there are some shelters who are creating EDAR sections where people can roll in and set up for the night which will allow them to house even more people.
Peter Samuelson came up with this idea when he rode the streets of Los Angeles on his bicycle. He began counting the homeless people each ride and even took the time to interview all 62 of them that he passed on his route to find out what would truly help them.
I wonder if a homeless person gets one of these if they would feel some sense of ownership from it even though it’s meant to be a temporary fix?
These EDAR units can be built for $500. That amount is nothing in comparison to the money the city of Los Angeles would spend on building and maintaining another shelter.
Of course there is the other side of the coin … will homeless people give up trying to get back on their feet if they have something like this? I’m sure that could happen, but really what it comes down to for me is that Peter Samuelson has come up with something that could help a little with a big problem that LA has. Will it fix everything … no way … but at least it’s a step that will possibly cost less than the alternative.
So here’s my question to you:
What do you think about this idea? Do you think it’s a good temporary fix? Or do you think it will institutionalize homelessness in Los Angeles?
Alva Hyatt on 
Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer on 
Eve on 
11 Comments
Personally i think it has its ups and downs. I think its great that someone was moved by their compassion and took action to help those in need. On the downside, i was once homeless, or very close to it. I was a run away and a squatter. But what drove me back to my senses and back to my home and family is the fact that less and less people would help. I think that if people would have kept helping me and helping me i would have never realized that i had people that truly cared about me and my well being.
Im not saying to ignore the helpless.. but most people on the street are there by choice. Like the guy Chris at the end. He probably could do something about it, but would rather never change his life. So is giving him a way to live homeless easier the fix? Or is it just another way to coddle those who choose to live life on the street.
That’s a hard one. I really don’t know. The problem with many of the homeless is they are mentally ill and they won’t take their medication. So they can never recover or live a normal existance. I guess if that’s the case this is better than nothing? Good question though.
Sponsor an EDAR at http://WWW.EDAR.ORG That’s how we’ll find out if this works: we need to try it! - Peter
It is an interesting question… but I can’t help but instantly just want to say “yes, let’s do that.” It’s painful to see them out there cold at night with nothing to sleep on.
Why would living in a rolling tent instead of a cardboard box be such an improvement that it would make the homeless person feel that he has successfully found housing?
I can see both the pros and cons of this idea. What a wonderful way to make someone feel a little more human and have a bit of privacy.
My biggest fear would be having them used as mini houses of ill repute.
Laurie,
Is there ANY privacy when living on the street? I think when you make that decision you give up the privilege of privacy.
Just my opinion. Then again.. i did make that decision…
I think everyone has good points here.
Chris … I’m glad that you found the strength to make the choices that you did. That’s awesome.
Noble Pig … that’s why I posed it … this really did intrigue me. I wish I could afford to be a part of this right now.
Peter … welcome to our blog. I was surprised to see a reply from you. Thanks for trying to do something to help a bad situation out. I think that it’s an interesting idea and I hope that by having conversations like these, we can suss out the good and bad.
Melissa … I totally agree. I’ve done plenty of photo shoots downtown by the mission and I’m always fascinated by the families building their box houses on the streets. I donate clothes/blankets/etc. to our local single mother outreach program, but it takes on a whole new life when you watch the families build their box home with nothing but what will fit in their shopping cart.
Saryl … I don’t mean that it’d make them feel successful. What I meant was more of a pride of ownership. Does getting one give them that same feeling of caring for something that is their own? If so … great … because I think that’s a step in a good direction.
Laurie … It’s an interesting discussion on both sides to say the least.
WOW you bring up a very interesting discussion - sadly one that is not even close to being resolved. I do not know the best course of action but I am all for providing a safe shelter that protects one from the elements.
I was always amazed at the amount of homeless on the streets of L.A. especially just South of Main Street over on Los Angeles Street…(yes, I used to creep around there with some of my boys…and not for anything but food and wine and GREAT art galleries!
)
I think it might clean up the streets a bit…instead of nasty cardboard boxes. Some even include TV Rabbit ears!!!
Will it institutionalize the homeless…I think we’ve already helped them do that by letting it get so out of hand. My opinion though…
Great post!