CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A University of North Carolina-Charlotte study identified 2,000 homeless people and a Charlotte teen thinks she has a solution to the problem.
Eyewitness News Anchor Stephanie Maxwell found out how a classroom project and trip out of the country sparked her idea.
Myah Hobgood is constantly at a desk studying, making sure she maintains her almost 5.0 GPA at West Charlotte High School as a junior.
Much of her studying centers on tiny homes that are less than 200 square feet.
"Driving around Charlotte and seeing someone holding a sign on the side of the street," Hobgood said.
Her passion stems from an 8th-grade project on the homeless in Charlotte.
Last year, she participated in an exchange program to the country of Colombia. It required her to initiate a community project in the U.S.
Hobgood's goal is to raise $12,000 for the tiny houses.
The money would cover construction and tools while she and other volunteers will provide the labor.
She said it's a way to help the homeless get back on their feet.
"If they're able to find a job, they can save their money as they're in the tiny house so it can be a cycle for them," Hobgood said.
Once they can afford their own place and move out, someone else who's homeless can move in, Hobgood said.
Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte calls it a remarkable idea from a remarkable teen.
"She doesn't know quite know how the whole thing is going to play out," Phil Prince with Habitat said. "Nobody does at this point but she has the gumption and the wherewithall to get it started."
Her goal is to raise money by spring so construction can start at that time.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- Charlotte area interactive radar
- Woman's body found in woods behind Concord home
- Woman who vanished last month found dead, family says
- Woman running 'baby fight club' convicted of cruelty
- TRACKING: Wet weather bearing down on Charlotte area
- Chipotle to close all stores nationwide for one day
WSOC
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/J65LOSFKBFGDFEQELLKM63TMUI.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/JFTBH5OLBFGEDFFPVVV2V46X5Q.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/DJSM5TQXTFBHPJAQGLJT4GPJ3Y.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/FVCQ7OG4GZHWHILLPHGAQOJUIQ.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/J46J2ZYXTJHXNDHVWHKOUW52NI.jpg)