Porta - Homes: A Whole New Market for Portable Toilet Suppliers?
A 35 - year - old California resident, T.K. Devine, is converting portable restroom units into portable homes
that he hopes to donate to L.A.'s homeless.
While portable restrooms, especially ADA - compliable units, are
certainly roomy, there are few individuals who would think of moving
into one. However, a man named T.K. Devine is convinced that
portable restrooms may offer the perfect solution for L.A.'s homeless
population – and those dedicated t o the alternative housing and
micro - housing movements. Devine has already created his own
prototype that he now lives in full time.
The converted home features no portable toilet, but a bed that folds
up and turns the room into a kitchen. There is a mini - fridge that is
stored beneath the bed, and plenty of storage space tucked within
the unit. As for actually using the restroom, Devine has attached an actual, functioning portable toilet to the back of the l arger,
converted structure. He plans to open the walls connecting the two and has already begun adding a shower to the second unit.
While he believes these homes can be created for under 20 - grand per unit, he is planning on taking this finished prototype out
on the road. He will affix the two units to a trailer, where the recycled water from the shower will irrigate a top - level garden with
solar panels that power the home. He will be taking the trailer on a yearlong tour of L.A., parking it at different residenti al
properties – as the only hookup needed to operate the home is a water hose. He will be documenting the experience via his
website, taking donations to build more units that he will then donate to homeless charities for their use. READ THE STOR Y
W EEKLY EDITION APRIL 19, 2017
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