A homeless man named Erick, living in downtown Los Angeles, has had his three-story treehouse, made from scrap materials, destroyed by the city. The treehouse gained popularity via a viral TikTok video, leading to its demolition alongside a nearby encampment. Despite the setback, Erick anticipated the demolition and is building his fourth treehouse in a decade, incorporating safety features. He prefers living in a tree for protection from crime and refuses to stay in city shelters, declaring that his lifestyle choice is non-negotiable.
"I knew they were gonna take it...It was gonna happen eventually," said Erick, reflecting on the demolition of his treehouse and the realities of being unhoused.
Erick is in the process of putting together a new treehouse—his fourth in 10 years—incorporating new features like camouflage walls and a trampoline net.
It's not just about shelter for Erick; living in a tree protects him from the widespread thefts and assaults faced by the unhoused populations in the area.
Erick dismissed the city's shelters as dangerous and dirty, emphasizing that he intends to continue living on the streets, or more accurately, above them.
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