There aren’t many people who take the time to get to know a homeless person and learn their story of how they ended up wandering the streets alone.
But one hero in Los Angeles did get to know the homeless lady that slept in the dirt outside his house and did a wonderful thing to help.
Irene “Smokie” McGee had been living on the streets of south Los Angeles, ever since her husband died and she lost her home 10 years ago.
The 60-year-old collected recycling every day to sell so she could buy food and spent the night sleeping on the ground.
Most of the time she would sleep in front of an apartment building where one occupant became friends with her and learned her story.
“She’s a human being, a 60-year-old mother and grandmother sleeping in the dirt, it’s just not right,” said resident Elvis Summers.
Built a tiny home in 5 days
Elvis and Irene became friends and the young man, who couldn’t stand seeing Irene sleeping on the streets every night, decided to do something to help – he built her a house.
The kindhearted neighbor bought $500 worth of wood, got a local company to donate siding and roofing, and using the construction experience he had built her a home.
“I just wanted to build something safe enough and secure enough so she’d be warm and comfortable.”
Just five days later Irene finally had a roof over her head.
‘Slept half the day’
“It felt so good, I was so relaxed, I think I must have slept half the day,” Irene said of the first night she spent in her new 3.5 ft by 8 ft home.
Watch Elvis build this perfect tiny home in the clip below.