Toronto Man Builds Tiny Homes On Bikes For The Homeless, Inspired By His Brother’s Struggles
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One man's wish to help his community turned into a full-blown construction project, but one that, should he get the right funding, could help tons of people in need all over the world.
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Close To Home
When faced with injustice or the suffering of others, many people feel inspired and motivated to make a change. One man, Ryan Donais, from Toronto, Canada felt this same push when he saw tent encampments populated by unhoused people near his home.
"I know how important it is to have a safe and secure place to call home, and I believe that everyone deserves that basic human right," Donais told BlogTO. "Tents are for camping, not housing."
Seeing these tents reminded him of his brother, who he knew was also living in an encampment just like the one near his home. "My brother has been suffering with addiction for years. He is one of the tent people. My mom still speaks to him, but I haven't spoken to him in years.”
Following Good Footsteps
He knew he couldn't just stand there and continue to watch this happen, both to his loved ones and members of his community, so he turned to his 15 years of construction experience to try to make something that could help.
Inspired by carpenter and fellow Torontonian Khaleel Seivwright, who built over 100 tiny home shelters for people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic, Donais also decided to design a small shelter that could at least get unhoused people out of the elements. Thus, Tiny Tiny Homes was born.
Small Smart Space
His design contains a sofa bed, a fold-down table that doubles as a storage space, a sink, a camping toilet, and another section of cabinets that can hold a microwave and a single-burner stove. The entire unit is insulated, weatherproof, and solar-powered.
Donais knew this design needed more, something unique, so he upgraded these tiny homes into tiny mobile homes. These units rest upon a custom-built metal frame on wheels that are attached to the front end of a bike. The entire thing can be towed by simply pedaling around town.
Pack Up And Go
"One of the things that's really good about this particular design is it's mobile. If it happens to be in a park, it's not going to wreck the grass. If the police come by and tell the person to leave, they can leave," he said.
"This structure gives people a sense of dignity. Being in a tent is hopeless. You can lock your stuff up and go to an appointment and not be worried that your stuff is going to get stolen. If someone is suffering from mental health issues or addiction issues, you can't even start to get your life back together without stability. How can you even go to a doctor's appointment if you're worried about your stuff getting stolen?"
A Powerful Partnership
Donais is already working on the first official, non-prototype tiny tiny home for a client, currently funding this project via donations to the GoFundMe campaign he created. Until he gets outside funding, he'll be using the GoFundMe money to buy materials in bulk.
He is one step closer to that funding, though, as he was able to successfully register Tiny Tiny Homes as a non-profit organization.
"I want every homeless person to get one of these. Tent encampments are not a healthy environment."
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Global Interest
But he's determined nevertheless. "I want to see a better alternative to the tents in the parks. Can you imagine during the rainstorm last week, being in a tent? It's terrible," he said. "The real solution would be if the City started housing people, but that's not happening."
"I want this to be an awakening program for the government. They need to step up and start housing people."
Though he's based in Canada, Donais says people from all over the world have already been reaching out with the hopes of buying a Tiny Tiny Home, from France to Australia.
Helping Those Who Need It
He's keeping his focus on home first, though, wanting to help the people experiencing homelessness in his area a place first. According to the Tiny Tiny Homes website, to qualify for one, applicants have to be experiencing chronic homelessness and have at least one barrier to obtaining housing.
The reception to the project has been great so far, and Donais is hopeful for its future. "The response has been outstanding. People think it's a fantastic idea," he said before reiterating his original wish. "I want to figure out a healthier environment for people to live in. That's what they deserve."
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