Good Samaritan makes tiny homes for the homeless

By Ben Barry via SWNS

A man is making tiny one-meter by two-meter homes on wheels to end rough sleeping after his brother became homeless.

Ryan Donals, 37, started building the portable small-scale properties in July 2024 - in a bid to provide a solution for local authorities.

The tiny homes take two months to build, are made from fiberglass reinforced plastic - and feature a bed, desk, storage, a sink and camping toilet.

Ryan says he came up with the idea of building them after his brother became homeless five years ago - having struggled with addiction for 20 years.

He was also concerned at the levels of homelessness in his city - Toronto, Canada - and wanted to end the "tent towns" he saw across the area.

In July 2024, Ryan set out to build a small home that will act as a midway point before people secure permanent housing.

Ryan, a construction manager, said: "My brother has been suffering with addiction for years - he is one of the tent people.

"I don't like seeing or hearing from my mum what he goes through.

"My mum still speaks to him but I haven't spoken to him in years.

"I want every homeless person to get one of these."

Ryan came up with the idea after the pandemic after he saw a huge rise of homelessness and "tent towns" popping up around the city.

He said: "My intention is to get people out of the tent encampments.

"They are not a healthy environment - I think anyone with a heart will feel sorry for someone sleeping on the streets.

"I want everyone to get one of these."

Ryan started building his first tiny home in July 2024 and spent 100 hours working on the prototype.

He is currently working on his second unit.

He said: "The project is in its infancy, I am doing this all by myself and trying to get connected with the right people.

"I am working with a lawyer to try and incorporate myself as a non-profit.

"I want to build these in numbers but I can't do it by myself.

"It takes me two months to build one."

The mini homes are waterproof, insulated, and come with a fan, window and door.

It will also have a desk, bed, sofa and storage.

He said: "The next model will have a sink where people can wash and have a camping toilet.

"It will have everything but a shower."

Ryan said he doesn't want this to be a permanent home for people but instead be temporary until people can get housing.

He said: "I want this to be an awakening program for the government.

"They need to step up and start housing people.

"I want these to be temporary until people can get proper housing."

Ryan is sharing his developments on TikTok @tinytinyhomes.