A Toronto non-profit is building tiny homes to provide warmth and shelter for those experiencing homelessness this winter
Toronto: It’s a chilly day in St. James Park, with snow covering the ground. But there’s a bright spot—three tiny homes are set up to help people without shelter stay warm this winter.
Ryan Donais, the founder of Tiny Tiny Homes, is behind this initiative. He got tired of seeing folks sleeping outside and decided to do something about it last spring.
With his construction background, he started this non-profit to replace tent encampments with cozy mobile units. Each tiny home has a bed, a table, and even a sink, plus safety features like alarms and a furnace.
Donais emphasizes that this isn’t a permanent housing solution, just a way to bridge the gap between tents and more stable living situations. He builds each unit himself, taking about 40 hours per home, using local materials and labor to support the community.
He’s all about making it a Toronto effort, saying, “It’s built by Toronto, for Toronto.” Donais hopes to ramp up production soon, which would help cut down on time and costs.
One resident, Nauel Samu, has been living in a tiny home for over a week now. It’s a big upgrade from his previous nights spent on a pallet in a field. He’s grateful for the warmth and comfort, especially after dealing with frozen food in the past.
Samu has been in Canada for nearly two years and has struggled to find work without a permanent address. But now, he feels hopeful. A warm place to sleep is giving him a chance to start fresh.
This morning, he’s busy scraping ice off the solar panels to keep the power flowing. He wants to show the community that he’s a good neighbor and not someone to be feared.
Donais is eager to expand his project and is looking for support from the City of Toronto. He’s already collaborating with local organizations to help vet clients and provide social services.
His vision includes moving these tiny homes to land that’s waiting to be developed or even a parking lot, aiming to reclaim parks for the community.
Right now, Tiny Tiny Homes is working on getting charity status and is funding its efforts through GoFundMe donations.
