Tim Roller, a homeless former math teacher, has become a recurring figure in Google Street View imagery, having lived on the same East Hollywood block for nearly 20 years. Google's cameras have captured snapshots of his makeshift shelter and encampment over the years as they pass by the cul-de-sac off the Hollywood Freeway.
Roller told The California Post that his nearly two-decade tenure on the street has been a "roller-coaster ride," marked by experiences with drug addiction, violence, and a significant homeless encampment that once occupied the area. He described discovering that the encampment's inhabitants were digging holes at night to bury drugs.
He adheres to his own survival rules, including not eating where he sleeps to avoid attracting pests. Roller, who is the father of four grown children, stated his homelessness stems from a gambling addiction, driven by a need for stimulation and adrenaline. He currently uses his phone for online chess and to find resources like cheap food and deals, also receiving gift cards from UCLA for completing questionnaires.
Roller believes that addressing homelessness requires providing simple indoor spaces rather than focusing on amenities like private bathrooms or rooms. He envisions small, private rooms where individuals can sleep, emphasizing that "All you need is a bed."
The most challenging aspects of his outdoor life, he noted, are the occasional rain and cold. He suggested that the ability to be homeless is a natural skill, comparing it to the behaviors of squirrels and raccoons. Roller also observed a shift in the enforcement of homelessness-related rules, particularly after COVID-19 led to an increase in encampments. He noted that while rules were relaxed during the pandemic, enforcement has been inconsistent.
The physical environment of his corner of Hollywood has also changed, with the addition of a large fence and new buildings, which he feels have helped reduce the size of encampments. Despite these changes and various disruptions over the years, Roller has remained in his spot.
