In 2015, Los Angeles declared a state of emergency on homelessness. Since then, homelessness has increased dramatically, underscoring how our homeless epidemic is more than a humanitarian crisis; it is a call for action. 

Give Me Shelter documents course work of the Homeless Studio at the USC School of Architecture, a 2016 course sponsored by MADWORKSHOP, and the students’ solutions for tackling the Los Angeles homeless crisis through design, compassion, and humanity. Featuring exclusive content from leaders in the field, including Michael Maltzan, Ted Hayes, Betty Chinn, Gregory Kloehn, members of the Skid Row Housing Trust, and many more, the book also contains a foreword by Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles at the time of publication.

Give Me Shelter tells the story of a group of architecture students and their two instructors as they journey through the world of homelessness, tackling real-world design solutions for emergency stabilization housing. From nomadic and temporary shelters to the city-supported and award-winning Homes for Hope, Give Me Shelter follows the MADWORKSHOP Homeless Studio and their designs from the encampments, all the way to City Hall.

Documenting the unprecedented collaboration between the studio, community advocates, service providers, City Hall, and the homeless themselves, Give Me Shelter reminds the reader that it doesn’t take a lot to do a lot.