We might not be able to save everyone, but we can still help in the best way we know how.
Hope and Manny live happily in a van. They chose this life to enjoy the freedom that a tiny house brings. Many people are choosing to live like this.
Hope and Manny met a man named Darrell in South Utah.
Darrell is one of many African Americans who are finding it hard to afford a place to live.
Recent statistics show that people like Darrell are greatly impacted by the rising costs of housing.
In Utah, almost half of the people who are homeless are single adults.
Even though African-Americans make up just 1% of Utah’s total population, they represent 10% of the people receiving help from the state.
Men are more likely to be homeless, making up 57% of those without homes. Darrell faced tough challenges, but he didn’t give up and continued to push through life.
To help him, Hope and Manny made a portable shelter he could take everywhere.
Manny mentioned in the video that they planned to build him a shelter strong enough to handle Utah’s very changeable weather.
They began their project by attaching waterproof poly board to an inch of insulation material. This will really help keep the temperature steady inside the tiny house.
Then, they built the house frame using 2x3s and 2x2s to make it strong yet light.
The floor is about 3 feet wide and 6 feet long. It’s a bit small, but it’s the perfect size for a tiny home that can be moved or towed to a different spot.
Next, they put up the walls and added wheels to the base frame.
They also put in rafters for a good roof. This roof will keep out the rain and give Darrell more room to stand up.
They made small holes in the walls for air to flow through. For safety, they added reflectors so cars can see the tiny home at night.
The tiny house also has an electrical system.
Manny’s system has three main parts. First, he put a solar panel on the roof. Then he connected it to a lithium-ion battery and an inverter to make the power usable.
This setup lets Darrell charge his phone, power lights, and maybe a small fan.
The tiny house might not seem like much to some people, but for others, it’s a warm, private place. People all over the internet have shown their thanks.
“This is wonderful, made me cry! To think, there are still people out there with such a big heart to help others out.” Said one person.
Some also suggested adding more features, like a brake system for the wheels and a way for Darrell to see outside. But overall, everyone is grateful that there are still people ready to help those who need it most.
Watch this couple build a tiny house for a homeless person they met.
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