Los Angeles, Calif., Oct 30, 2018 / 23:00 pm
Aid agencies for the homeless often face what they call the NIMBY- "not in my backyard"- problem; the challenge that even those who support the homeless don't want shelters in their neighborhoods.
But a Los Angeles program aims to reverse that, with homeowners inviting homeless families into their backyards to live in small, purpose-built residences subsidized by the city.
Los Angeles County has introduced a pilot program that would provide subsidies to homeowners building "accessory dwelling units" (ADUs) or, as they are sometimes known, "tiny houses." To qualify for the subsidy, homeowners would agree to rent the ADUs to homeless men and women for three years after construction.
The initiative is expected to begin next spring. The New York Times reported that more than 500 homeowners have already applied for the program. ADUs are typically small dwellings built behind a home, or converted garages.