Toronto man builds tiny mobile homes for the shelter-less to cope with winter

A Toronto man is creating tiny mobile homes attached to bicycles to help unhoused people escape the harsh winter cold.

Ryan Donais, leveraging his construction skills, began building these shelters this summer to address the city’s growing housing crisis.

Each unit, costing about $10,000 funded through donations, provides heating, electricity, running water, a bed, and safety features like fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.

Inspired by Khaleel Seivwright’s pandemic shelters, Donais designed his homes to comply with city regulations, enabling mobility through bike lanes.

So far, he has built three units and started a not-for-profit, Tiny Tiny Homes, to expand his efforts.

Resident Terra Sawler, previously homeless for three years, says her tiny home has provided safety, warmth, and a good night’s sleep, a rare comfort on the streets.

While proud of his work, Donais emphasizes that housing, not temporary shelters, is the ultimate solution.