Ending homelessness block by block | Rex Hohlbein & Jenn LaFreniere | TEDxSeattle

Architects Rex Hohlbein and Jenn LaFrenier ask us to consider “Yes in my backyard” as an answer to homelessness. This father-daughter duo has an idea: let's reimagine our personal space by inviting homeless residents to move into beautifully designed, off-grid, homes built in residential backyards. Called “The Block Project” these tiny homes - built with neighborhood support and community volunteers- provides a path out of homelessness that encourages neighbors to come together as advocates, mentors and friends to those currently living on our streets.
A Seattle native, Rex ran a successful residential architectural firm for 30 years. Seven years ago, after befriending several men experiencing homelessness along the Fremont canal, Rex started a Facebook page to raise awareness for those living unsheltered through the sharing of photos and personal stories. Today, that Facebook page has over 46,000 followers, becoming a thriving and inspirational non-profit, Facing Homelessness. This year begins a new chapter, as Rex combines both architecture and community outreach in starting a social justice architecture firm, BLOCK Architects, with his daughter Jenn LaFreniere. Jenn spent a little over five years working at Graham Baba Architects on an array of projects from small remodels to large commercial buildings. Discussions about starting a firm with her father, BLOCK Architects, sparked conversations about the ties between architecture and social justice, ultimately leading to the formation of the BLOCK Project, the first endeavor for their architectural firm. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@sabrinatenney]

I am in tears listening. My neighboring town....home of the two churches I Pastor, has a growing homeless population. I want to do something about it!

[@danilomartins1901]

Who’d imagine architects trying to solve a social problem! This means that everyone can do something to fight against this homelessness issue. Well done for the great initiative, Rex and Jenn!

[@anitafbrokaw5830]

They are the perfect storm in design and creativity needed for advancement in how it can be done. Not simply lip service

[@anitafbrokaw5830]

How about including the homeless displaced populations in the planning design the homes ?. When the reality of homelessness isn't about "affordable housing" its about the lack of humanitarian priorities domestically being ignored and deemed as a self inflicted wound/a result of drug addiction /income / denial neglected which make the "affordable housing" narrative misleading misrepresentation misunderstood. This is about humanity and our responsibility for the care safety security protection of each other and one another.

[@josiahamaze]

Will be reaching out this week! I'm located in Washington as well! I am a General Contractor that would love to work with yall!

[@aarteestmj4958]

Great job you two! This is Michael J, Mike Homner's friend. We met when you were in Denver. Glad to see all of your progress!

[@thegreentimesartstudios3327]

Really awe-inspiring! You two should get a novel peace prize, thank you for solutions and hard work, or maybe it’s rewarding work, not hard... love it!

[@dinacorrea4707]

We need something like that in my city. Ty he homeless population is growing fast

[@hopetoinspire2024]

This is one of the most incredible solutions that will actually work

[@vonkauentheforbidden9589]

Adopt a homeless person! Get to know them! Help them! Take them in to your home if you can! Don't wait for the city to help. They'll die out there before the city actually helps.

[@zinknot]

Exactly. So many people saying they should be given homes but none of them are offering to let a homeless person camp in their yard and use their shower. Be the change you want to see. Don't just demand government make other people pay for it and the funds are squandered anyway.

[@gplunk]

How about an 'Extra Room in My House' program? How many people already have an extra bedroom or other space in their home that they're not really using all the time? Maybe the program could target those in immediate need of safe shelter; and allow them to be placed in one of these sponsored homes. No need for a separate dwelling to be funded and constructed. If you take the tack that we are all just one big extended family anyway; it's kind of like giving your cousin or uncle or great aunt a place to stay until they can get back on their feet. We are all in this together; for better or worse, so let's choose better this time....

[@lauren4110]

❤❤❤

[@ToddBoyle]

Even middle class, at 68, i fled Seattle for much cheaper places.

[@patsystrong8705]

I am so fed up with utube ads

[@EtreTocsin]

How can I get one of these tiny homes if I am in another state? I already know some folks who live outside that I could host. One has an opiod problem and needs professional detox. There is no way he could ever go cold turkey . He would die as he has been on opiods too long.

[@zinknot]

This is a good idea, but it will only work with a small percentage of homeless, who don't have serious mental health and addiction problems. I'm convinced that some kind of work camps is the best solution for most of them, and they could graduate from that to a tiny home in someone's yard.

[@sistaflame100]

This is a great idea. Can u sign me up for a neighborhood. I am in florida

[@SteveMoyer]

It's a good solution for Seattle but homelessness is a national and international problem rooted in a dysfunctional economic system. We need a new system too.

[@johnviera3884]

How do I short this stock?

[@patriciabravo8795]

brillant

[@priceandpride]

is the goal to move them up out of the tiny house? they should be temporary so others can get help

[@christopherscheiber1439]

Are rents ten to twenty grand a month yet?

[@zinknot]

Problem is that home owners will want to rent out those tiny houses for a good profit. And that most the homeless have serious addictions. People are only generous with other people's money and property usually.

[@zinknot]

They need showers and job more than a house. Give them a chance to help themselves, not just make them dependent on handouts.

[@signocologythebook1124]

"Not in my backyard!" - George Carlin

[@saralove345]

[@johnwarner8641]

Second comment boo yaaaaa

[@burcoperc5655]

Third

[@_josh]

Sounds great until you go to their site and see one of their houses costs $100k ($75k in cash & $25k in donated materials) lol

[@jenniferlafreniere5151]

Just for perspective... a standard development low income unit in Seattle costs approx. $320,000. Plus, the $100,000 is now much lower since there is a prefabrication workshop that is much more efficient with materials and volunteer labor :) Thanks for watching!

[@EtreTocsin]

@@jenniferlafreniere5151 What about out of state? Do you have any affiliates? The city i live in not only has a homeless crisis, but a foster youth “aged out of system” homeless crisis. I see them almost every time I leave the house and it crushes my heart. They age out and then get kicked out. There is no transitional program in my state. Then after living on the streets they get into drugs and spiral down. In my observation and through conversations I have had with many outside dwellers, about half or more are addicts.

[@timmc8444]

Sounds like a decent idea..the only reason homelessness exists is because the people of a community do not care about others