‘Every person matters’: Can micro-shelters help Birmingham’s homeless?

1 month ago 5

Birmingham city officials and collaborators cut the ribbon at the “Home For All” Micro-Shelter Village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Pallet home units are seen at the “Home For All” Micro-Shelter Village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Michael Tolliver, the first resident of the “Home For All Micro-Shelter Village,” walks away from his housing unit at the village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Tolliver has been unhoused for the last eleven years. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Michael Tolliver, the first resident of the “Home For All Micro-Shelter Village,” is photographed in outside of his housing unit at the village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Tolliver has been unhoused for the last eleven years. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Michael Tolliver, the first resident of the “Home For All Micro-Shelter Village,” takes questions from reporters in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin speaks at the ribbon cutting of the “Home For All” Micro-Shelter Village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin speaks at the ribbon cutting of the “Home For All” Micro-Shelter Village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Michael Tolliver, the first resident of the “Home For All Micro-Shelter Village,” wipes away tears at the ribbon cutting for the village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Michael Tolliver, the first resident of the “Home For All Micro-Shelter Village,” is photographed in the communal building of the village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Tolliver has been unhoused for the last eleven years. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

The interior of a housing unit photographed at at the “Home For All” Micro-Shelter Village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Michael Tolliver, the first resident of the “Home For All Micro-Shelter Village,” stands behind Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin as he speaks at the ribbon cutting for the village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Birmingham District 5 councilor Darrell O'Quinn speaks at the ribbon cutting of the “Home For All” Micro-Shelter Village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Birmingham District 5 councilor Darrell O'Quinn speaks at the ribbon cutting of the “Home For All” Micro-Shelter Village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Birmingham District 5 councilor Darrell O'Quinn speaks at the ribbon cutting of the “Home For All” Micro-Shelter Village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Michael Tolliver, the first resident of the “Home For All Micro-Shelter Village,” is photographed in outside of his housing unit at the village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Tolliver has been unhoused for the last eleven years. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Michael Tolliver, the first resident of the “Home For All Micro-Shelter Village,” wipes away tears at the ribbon cutting for the village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and District 5 councilor Darrell O'Quinn examine a housing unit at the “Home For All Micro-Shelter Village” in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Michael Tolliver, the first resident of the “Home For All Micro-Shelter Village,” takes questions from reporters in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Michael Tolliver, the first resident of the “Home For All Micro-Shelter Village,” wipes away tears as he takes questions from reporters in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Michael Tolliver, the first resident of the “Home For All Micro-Shelter Village,” takes questions from reporters in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

The interior of a housing unit photographed at at the “Home For All” Micro-Shelter Village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

The interior of a housing unit photographed at at the “Home For All” Micro-Shelter Village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Pallet home units are seen at the “Home For All” Micro-Shelter Village in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Michael Tolliver’s birthday is Thursday, and he already knows his gift – a key to a clean and safe place to sleep.

Read Entire Article