In South Los Angeles, a man named Erick has become an unlikely figure of fascination after building a three-story treehouse from scavenged materials. The structure—complete with a mezzanine, an enclosed bedroom, and even a zipline—stood above a homeless encampment and drew hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok after a local creator filmed it in July. For a short time, it was his home in the trees.
Erick, 34, says the idea grew slowly. At first, it was just a ladder. Then, within a couple of weeks, he had a full-blown house in the branches. People began to stop by, some out of curiosity, others just to see if the viral clips were real.
“I built this because I was bored. I just like building them.”
Erick said.
For him, the tree wasn’t just a hobby spot—it was protection. Life in Los Angeles’ homeless encampments can be dangerous, with thefts, assaults, and constant disruptions. By living above ground, Erick felt safer.
“It works for me. You gotta do whatever you do because it works for you.”
he explained.
He’s been living on the streets for about 10 years and has built three treehouses in that time. This was his fourth attempt.
But the attention came with consequences. About a week after his treehouse went viral, city workers arrived and dismantled it along with nearby tents and makeshift shelters. The takedown was part of an ongoing effort to clear homeless encampments across the city, a push that intensified after California Governor Gavin Newsom urged cities to make such camps illegal.
Erick says he wasn’t surprised.
“It was gonna happen eventually. I knew they were gonna take it,”
he told reporters.
He moved into a roofless canvas hut at the base of the same tree, surrounded by piles of debris from what had been his home.
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“He isn’t bothering anybody. He’s just there in his tree,”
she said.
Others disagreed. A local business owner accused him of stealing expensive gate openers, something Erick denies. He insists he earns money by collecting and selling recyclables.
City shelters, Erick says, aren’t an option. He believes they’re unsafe and dirty. He prefers the treetops, where he can build his own space and set his own rules.
Despite losing his three-story home, Erick didn’t stop. By early August, he had already begun building a new treehouse—what he calls “Tree Mansion 2.0.” His plans include camouflage walls, a trampoline net, and a fire pole for quick escapes. He even joked about adding an “eject-o seat” that could send him backward through a wall.
This determination reflects a broader reality: clearing encampments doesn’t always mean they’re gone for good. Many people, like Erick, return and rebuild, especially if they have no interest in traditional housing.
Mayor Karen Bass has resisted state pressure to speed up encampment clear-outs, pointing out that homelessness rates in Los Angeles dropped in 2024 for the first time in years. Still, surveys show most residents feel the crisis hasn’t improved, and political pressure remains high.
For Erick, though, politics is far removed from daily life. He’s focused on construction, one beam and floorboard at a time.
“This isn’t the first treehouse that’s ever been built. Tarzan built a treehouse when his plane crashed. I’m just bringing it back.”
he said with a smile.
And in a quiet corner of South LA, the frame of another treehouse is already rising against the skyline.
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