
Louisiana Architecture Students Build Home for Man Unhomed for 20 Years
David Begnaud, with CBS Mornings, once again illuminates a story that will tug at your heartstrings in the best way. Architecture students at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, collaborated to build a tiny house that had a massive impact on a man who had been homeless for two decades.
The UrbanBuild Program at Tulane University
When the students began working on their final project of designing and building a tiny 440-square-foot home, they knew it would be for someone in their community, but they did not know the specifics of who would get the home until the very end.

Tulane has a program called UrbanBuild, which, according to their website, "is the Tulane University School of Architecture's award-winning design-build program." Their projects "both enrich students' development as professional designers, and help revitalize New Orleans' rich heritage".
Man Gifted Home After Two Decades Without One
Benjamin Henry tells David Begnaud that he lived under Interstate 10 on the streets of New Orleans after making "bad decisions involving drugs and alcohol".
Sometimes you have to go through some things awhile to see how bad you really want it better, you have to see how bad you really want it, But if you hang in there, hang in there and keep hope, things are possible for you. Now look where I am. I'm about to get a home, not a place just to lay my head, but a home.
Noah Lion's design was selected by a team of professional architects who said that working on the home became "more personal" once they knew someone would really be living in the home.
Brendan Cook, another student working on Henry's home, echoed that sentiment, saying, "To be able to meet somebody who's going to live in your space and experience what you've worked on is a rewarding moment that's gonna serve all of us incredibly well going forward".
It's emotional watching the students give Henry the grand tour of his new home, showing him where his washer and dryer will go, and his very own porch to enjoy. Everyone is moved to tears as he explains he feels like "this is a dream".
That's why I was crying because I know and… it's real, you know? I thank you. Thank you.
What's Next?
In the full interview, which I highly recommend you watch, you see the home before it's fully furnished. Someone pointed this out online and David Begnaud explains that there will be a part two. Stay tuned for more on how they plan to make housing accessible and affordable for everyone.
LOOK: This is where homes are selling the fastest right now
Gallery Credit: Stacker