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Tiny Houses on Wheels

Monday, August 20, 2012
By Ken Cohen, Santa Barbara

If a society is to prosper it must attend to its least fortunate members.

Homelessness can be solved or lessened to a great extent.

Please Google One SQM Van Bo Lo-Mentzel and observe an inexpensive but solid structure to shelter the homeless.

The tiny house, which is on wheels, can be stood up during the day and has a chair, window, and board desk for assorted activities and possible socializing.

At night the structure is laid down to offer a built-in mattress for sleeping protected from the rain and, to a good extent, the cold.

The architect, Van Bo Lo-Mentzel states that the cost is more or less $ 300.00 per unit.

It is a very small amount to lessen the physical and emotional suffering of the homeless while benefiting the whole community.

This remedy will be far less costly than the present expenses involved in management of the homeless and far more humane than the cruel abandonment of so many people in pain right before our eyes. It will reinforce the healthy, happy, compassionate nature of Santa Barbara or any community that chooses this means of sheltering the homeless.

One SQM Parks could be created on designated empty lots. There would be a one time building expense for bathrooms, showers, a kitchen, and, hopefully, a garden setting with benches for people to enjoy plants, flowers, trees, etc. The residents would then be responsible for maintenance. We will all be enriched!

Please come forth with any concrete suggestion as to the implementation of such a plan.

There are generous benefactors in Santa Barbara as well as philanthropic foundations and thousands of compassionate people who would love to see Santa Barbara demonstrate the exercise of kindness to all. It could also be the voice of the people to our government.

Any suggestions, please.

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