After I read this comment from Kathleen Wilson Carpenter on Welcome Home: A Tiny House, Huge Purpose's facebook wall: https://www.facebook.com/mythpla/?fref=ts "Check with the local fire department, emergency management or Red Cross as they have portable showers (in portable trailers) that are used in times of emergency that should be used for the homeless to shower. It is used here in Phoenix." I realized the Red Cross needs to be brought in. One man, alone, should not be the only person to provide a camp shower to a homeless person. And I know others have asked Mr. Summers to post photos so they can do the same, to help out. The mission of the Canadian Red Cross states: "to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world." And even though the US is not listed as a country that the International Committee of the Red Cross is addressing, I believe it should be. According a November 2015 LA Times article by Gale Holland: http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-homeless-national-numbers-20151120-story.html "Los Angeles city and county have the most chronically homeless people in the country, and nearly all of them sleep on the streets ... The homeless population has grown 55% (to 12,536, since 2013), accounting for almost 15% of all people in that category. More than one-third of the nation's chronically homeless live in California." Source of facts: US Housing and Urban Development Department Holland's article also stated: "The mayor could also call on the governor and the president to issue emergency proclamations for Los Angeles." And this HAS crossed my mind. We may need to go there. For now, I want to see if the Red Cross will step in and help. In June 2015, LA Times reporter, Doug Smith, wrote that the "LA County homeless population was 44,359, a number that (despite its apparent precision) has a margin of error of plus or minus 760." Source: http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-0604-homeless-count-20150604-story.html Over 40,000 people without a home! This IS a humanitarian crisis. And Elvis Summers contacted me last night and reminded me that I missed Article 24 in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights: http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/index.html which also states: Article 24. Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay. Both the homeless AND Elvis and his team have had "no rest" (and certainly no leisure time or holidays with pay). So, now we have human rights violations of: 1, 5, 12, 17, 24, 25, 29, and 30. Plus Elvis Summers and his team have also had THEIR rights infringed upon. Namely: Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. [Summers and his team are acting towards fellow citizens "in a spirit of brotherhood".] Article 24. Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay. Article 29. (1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible. [Summers and his team are/were fulfilling this.] (2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society. [Summers and his team ensured structures met city codes/by-laws]. (3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Article 30. Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein. Lastly, I want you to know that I have read each and every one of your comments (and I "like" them as well). I want to share some more with you: Harry Gadd, London, United Kingdom: "This is being watched worldwide. Do the right thing." Lynda W from pasadena, CA: "Because vets matter! Homeless lives matter...and I am really disgusted that the one man is trying to help these people is having the rug ripped out from underneath him and I'm disgusted with Mayor Garcetti for allowing that to happen for putting off the homeless vets to make a bid on the Olympics? Because I was homeless for 10 months 3 years ago and I was raped in the street because I had no protection." Linda Lindley, Burbank, CA: "You cannot outlaw human existence!" Iain robinson, Petersfield, United Kingdom: "In all major cities in the US the number of homeless on the streets, in the parks and even squares outside government buildings is a long time shock and disappointment to those of us who have worked, invested in and vacation in your great country. With the intellect and imagination at your disposal I am sure you can come up with a better solution than destroying homes and lives and killing this great initiative. If you can't / ask me, I have plenty of solutions for you." Elisabeth Lanier, Galveston, TX: "I'm signing because I believe that it is every American's right to decent, safe shelter -- and Elvis's Tiny Houses are an answer. And, hey, LA, check out the small house community in Austin, Texas -- if they can do it, so can you." Susi Kaplan, Redondo Beach, CA: "I personally worked on some of those tiny homes to help people who were identified as recipients - these are veterans and good people who have fallen on hard times and need a boost. The fact that no alternative housing was offered is ridiculous and the decision to destroy these homes vs returning them to Elvis is just ludicrous. I recognize that the homeless challenge is a difficult one but studies show it is cheaper to provide the homeless with shelter rather than fund all the programs that are necessary to care for them while in the street. These are our veterans, our mentally ill, our displaced. They are human beings and kicking them out of their home that is no bigger than a parking spot is the height of inhumanity. I demand a satisfactory explanation and solution." Tim Sutton, Australia: "Every once in a while there's a little goodness in the world. Change has to start somewhere.. If one guy can make a difference to a few life's imagine what a little change in everyone could do.. Keep up the fight mate." La Tesha Sims, Lakewood, CA: "I am signing because one person took the time to help out our own homelessness. The US sends aid all over the world when we have our own people living in the streets. If you dont like where the tiny houses are then the city should confiscate one of these abandoned lots ( and we have plenty in the city) and have the houses placed there to continue to provide shelter for these homeless men, women and children. Elvis put a bandaid on a problem that needs surgery. Until you find a way to perform surgery to correct the problem, dont rip the bandaid off. At least it is helping and providing a barrier until a better option is on the table!" Angella Russell, Hamilton, Canada: "Destroying tiny homes is criminal. The city cannot apprehend and destroy citizen investment." Jessica Wemhaner, Puyallup, WA: "Not being supportive of pragmatic solutions is the WRONG thing to do. What Elvis Summers is doing for the homeless community is clearly the RIGHT thing to do. I am appalled at the lack of empathy for the human experience by Council Member Price. The cost of destroying these tiny homes is greater than any monetary value...it's destroying HOPE, DIGNITY, and SAFETY!" Margie Hoyt, Gardena, CA: "People do not cease to be human beings when they have no money. They cease to be human beings when they are no longer humane." Heather Phillips, Mount Vernon, GA: "The gift of these houses has been an amazing expression of compassion to otherwise "forgotten" individuals. It sickens me to see the "City of ANGELS" seek out and destroy the hope and humanity wrapped up in these tiny homes. I do not think this is a sanitation or safety issue. I believe this is being done out of revenge. This group has done what the government is unable or unwilling to do. Words met action and results were produced. The exact opposite of what overblown bureaucracies achieve. The investment in this unwanted population has been born of love. It is shameful that all their efforts have been halted. It's criminal that the city has destroyed three houses and forced the homeless BACK on the street." Judy Genandt, East Dundee, IL: "What is WRONG with you???? You may as well just bulldoze the homeless into a huge pit and leave them there!!! Can't you let these victims of the economy have ANYTHING???? You people have no heart, no soul, no conscience!" Robin Smith, Salt Lake City, UT: "You stole property. Give it back." Michelle Zabala, La Crescenta, CA: "I sm signing this because removing the Tiny Houses is not the answer. Offer options. Permanent options for the homeless. 1 of 4 are Veterans who have served this Country. Our government needs to do better!! My labor as well as that of my kids went into making those houses. We as citizens are trying to offer solutions. Please return those houses to Mr Elvis Summers!!!" Kristy Garza, Tupelo, MS: "Destroying these Tiny Homes is a crime against HUMANITY!!!" Oh and one more thing: The Tiny House GoFundMe campaign also lists essentials and building supplies that are direly needed (for those who cannot donate money): https://www.gofundme.com/mythplawinter Elvis Summers has also posted some updates for all of you. Take good care, Rose