Ingenuity in the Homeless Population

There's this couple living outside of The Kitchen, where I work most days. The Kitchen is in West Chelsea, an "up-and-coming" neighborhood which already boasts $500/square foot rentals. Anyway, this couple arrived a few weeks ago like any couple moving into a new place- they had their belongings (which were few), and a dream.




It started with one cardboard box.

Today, their six-box abode is equipped with rain protection, a working stereo, mattresses, and I'm sure many other items inside. Outside is a nice looking bicycle, a shopping cart and a patio chair. The missus sweeps well and often around the boxes, lest any cigarette butts should befoul her concrete lawn.

I saw these two get handed a ticket the other day, and the missus swore loudly about it. But still they have not budged. And now that rent day is upon us, I'm beginning to think they have the right idea.