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The Making of TranZen Homestead
The Making of TranZen Homestead
According to the 2023 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, over 75,500 people experience homelessness in Los Angeles County on any given night. In 2019, on a colder-than-normal night, Phong Tran thought about all of the homeless people out there without a home, and decided to take matters into his own hands.
He bought 10 acres of land north of Los Angeles, recruited a dozen of his struggling US Military Veteran friends, and a dozen civilians, to cultivate and bring life to his land. This group, featured in this photo gallery, would go on to live on the homestead they built; for our purposes, are known as the "Beta Group."
Phong's mission: To provide a place for homeless people to live, work, put food on their tables, and give back to the community at the same time. The target audience now, and in the future, are those who want to help themselves and get back on their feet.
The Beta Group planted fruit trees using a brilliant agricultural method; introduced to the group by Phong. They put up a 40 foot military tent and used an old RV (that they solar paneled) for housing, put up fences, made a quarry to capture rain, and much more.
This first "Beta Test" proved to be a grand success, but to really make a difference on the large scale, we're looking for donors to be able to take that next step, and help put an end to homelessness. Please join us on this journey!
TranZen Homestead Journey: The details of our Beta Test
The problem/issue:
There are over 75,500 homeless people in Los Angeles County on any given night.
Most homeless people are not on the streets by their choice, with nowhere to turn, or sense of belonging.
Many are discarded US Military Veterans and/or the disabled, with no practical skills except for going to war, and some with lasting mental issues and/or PTSD.
Housing is extremely expensive in Los Angeles, and paying rent or buying a house is out of the question for many.
There's an overall lack of nutrition and wellness among the LA homeless population.
Homeless can go to food kitchens, but nutritious selections are not abundant and if provided, are usually overprocessed.
Obtaining low cost or free fruits and vegetable options to the homeless is not readily available.
Growing gardens with trees, bushes, and plants would be an option in the right climate, but the LA climate is desert.
In order to provide a self-sustainable community with fruit trees and vegetable gardens, one would need a system to conserve/retain enough water to keep them alive year-round.
The action we took:
By visiting homeless camps and kitchens, Phong solicited US Military Veterans and other struggling citizens to form a Beta Group. These people would go on as a team to help Phong build the beginning of the TranZen Homestead, and live there at the same time.
Phong set up goals, baselines, performance measures, incorporated his business; TranZen Homestead, and launched the Beta Test.
Together the Beta Test team built housing using a 40 foot military tent with cots, and equipped a used RV (with solar panels and a generator) for needed shelter and a kitchen.
They built their own toilet system a ways from their "camp" using intelligent and hygenic modern methods.
They planted fruit trees using an agricultural method that would allow them to make water last an abundant amount of time. This method included using a little-known, but ingenious technique called ‘the Lasagna Technique’ of digging holes in sand/dirt in the desert, and layering a series of newspapers and mulch to hold small amounts of water, so that trees, bushes, and plants can survive and thrive on a very small amount of water. This is only one of several techniques in an overall self-sustaining and off-the-grid project.
They planted vegetable gardens using methods of permaculture and aquaponics.
They held regular focus group meetings to monitor satisfaction with the program, lessons learned, and ideas for improvement.
Impact to our target audience - our Beta Testers:
Results indicated that beta testers’ overall health improved through self-claims of better energy, feeling of wellness, and digestive functioning.
All of the beta test group participants thought the program was effective, requested it to continue, and urged us to offer the program to other homeless camps.
Next Steps
Apply for US Government grant(s), and find other solutions to help fund the homestead and ongoing efforts.
Review lessons learned, ideas for improvement, and other findings from Beta Test feedback, make adjustments, replicate, and broaden this program to include other homeless camps.
Spread the word to others involved in homeless efforts around the country and even world to replicate this program in their location. Provide them with the tools to establish the foundation of the program, establish goals and performance measures.
Donate Now
100% of your donation will go towards the TranZen Homestead
Phong Tran
TranZen Homestead
EIN: 83-4450544
29264 Deep Shadow Drive
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
email: plantableplanet@gmail.com
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