A shortage of social housing\u00a0remains\u00a0one of the top issues in most countries, affecting the\u00a0well-being of unemployed or low-income groups.\u00a0 In an attempt to make a difference in his little way, Oakland, California based artist\u00a0Gregory Kloehn\u00a0<\/strong>has been creating miniature shelters for the homeless people using\u00a0illegally dumped trashed. <\/span><\/p>\n

Kloehn was\u00a0intrigued\u00a0by the idea of\u00a0building such houses when he was first encountered by a homeless couple who knocked at his door for a tarp. While he didn’t have a tarp, Kloehn offered them a space in his tiny studio consisting of the bare basics.\u00a0 Kloehn searches the neighbourhood for illegally dumped commerical trash, and gets his hands on everything that he finds useful. He utilizes everything from\u00a0cargo pallets and window frames to pizza delivery bags and washing machine doors and\u00a0and upcycles the trash \u00a0into walls, roofs, doors, windows, wheels and locks. <\/span><\/p>\n

The results are vibrant miniature shelters that not only provide a roof to the homeless, but also builds hope and boosts their self-confidence. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor myself, the work is about pushing an idea into the tangible world. \u00a0The working through process behind a piece and the play I have between a vision, materials and my abilities is the aspect I cherish most.\u00a0 I like to have some crude essence of this making process to remain, leaving a residue of the moment for the viewer. Above all, it is good to laugh.\u00a0 It loosens the air.\u00a0 Issues can be present without overburdening the viewer.\u201d explains artist Gregory Kloehn <\/span><\/p>\n

The houses are extremely sturdy and are attached with wheels for portability and convenience. Most of the shelters appear like a cool creative piece of art with application of vibrant colours like pink, yellow, red and blue. Intelligent use of materials, like a rainproof roof created\u00a0from discarded plastic sheeting and windows made from a washing machine door displays the\u00a0artist’s ingenuity and resourcefulness. Kloehn’s initiative has evolved into the\u00a0Homeless Homes Project<\/strong>, which aims at creating a difference in the society through creativity and ingenuity. Once the homes are constructed, they are given out to the homeless free of cost. \u00a0Someone’s trash is someone’s treasure!<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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All Images \u00a9 <\/strong><\/em>Brian j Reynolds<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

+\u00a0Gregory Kloehn<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

+\u00a0Homeless Homes Project<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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A shortage of social housing\u00a0remains\u00a0one of the top issues in most countries, affecting the\u00a0well-being of unemployed or low-income groups.\u00a0 In an attempt to make a difference in his little way, Oakland, California based artist\u00a0Gregory Kloehn\u00a0has been creating miniature shelters for the homeless people using\u00a0illegally dumped trashed. Kloehn was\u00a0intrigued\u00a0by the idea of\u00a0building such houses when he […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":41001,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,4706,36],"tags":[7257,7141,7142,7139,7140,7145,7043,99,1039,7144,7143],"yoast_head":"\n