Man Who Figured Out How to Live in San Francisco For $400 a Month Forced to Leave by City

Man Who Figured Out How to Live in San Francisco For $400 a Month Forced to Leave by City
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Ryan General
April 15, 2016
San Francisco’s high housing costs forced
Berkowitz’s story hit the internet last month after he built the customized mini-pod in a friend’s living room and rented the space for $400 a month. The tiny wooden home had enough room for a portable desk and a bed with reading light.
While many found his idea brilliant for saving money, San Francisco’s Department of Building Inspection has forced him to move out after they deemed the room illegal and very dangerous, reported The Guardian.
“The housing codes, the fire codes and the building codes are fairly restrictive in terms of what you can do inside, in terms of coming up with another enclosed bedroom,” said William Strawn, public affairs director for the city’s building inspection department.
“With these types of, what I’ll call creative efforts to try and cope with what everybody recognizes is a tough housing market here, you still have to follow some basic safety … rules.”
Berkowitz told the Guardian that he decided to leave the box after learning it was illegal.
“I’m 100% concerned with doing this legally,” he said. “It is not set up any more.”
He is now “figuring things out” and currently staying with his family.
San Francisco housing costs continue to climb, and getting a reasonably priced home throughout the Bay Area has become more challenging for many. According to real estate website Zumper, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco is $3,590.
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