Celeb Mini Houses Raise Money for Homeless

Through word of mouth and the group’s strong ties to New York’s fashion community, the team at Women in Need convinced stars including David Beckham, P. Diddy, Justin Timberlake, and Halle Berry to design stylish, signed mini-houses to be auctioned off for a good cause. The goal is to build 280 new shelter units for New York City homeless women and their kids. And the need has never been higher: 39,000 people—80 percent of the women and children—are sleeping in municipal shelters each night.

Berry donated a gem-encrusted house. The Oscar-winning actress is a spokeswoman for women’s cancer causes and has also supported non-profits that work to prevent domestic violence.

Jeff Kravitz / Getty Images

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Wang, famous for her elegant wedding dresses, took inspiration from her designs. Her house looks as if it is draped in a giant wedding dress.

Jennifer Graylock / AP Photo

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Ludacris designed his house with his daughter. Five snazzy looking vehicles wait outside the blue-and-red home. The rapper and actor created the Ludacris Foundation in 2001 to promote leadership.

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P.Diddy’s house has an outsize gem-encrusted helicopter perched atop it. P. Diddy, a native New Yorker, founded the Daddy’s House Social Programs in 1995 to provide educational initiatives for New York’s youth. The logo of his clothing label, Sean John, adorns the bottom of the house.

Brian Zak / AP Photo

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Mizrahi was the first person to agree to make a house for the auction, said Robin White of Women in Need. He’s a long-time supporter of the group.

Peter Kramer / AP Photo

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The Beckhams designed their house together. WIN administrators say the moment they heard Beckham agreed to design a house, they knew their idea was really taking off.

Evan Agostini / AP Photo

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The daughter of designer Ralph Lauren is the owner of Dylan’s Candy Bar, the largest candy story in the world.

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Timberlake’s house publicizes his clothing line, which he co-owns with Trace Ayala.

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Out-there musician Moby injected some extraterrestrial humor into his house.

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The designer’s house is covered in a signature print.

Jennifer Graylock / AP Photo

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Blige’s colorful, feathery house.

Charles Sykes / AP Photo

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Designer Oscar de la Renta submitted this shiny creation. WIN administrators say the fashion community has always been very supportive of their organization.

Bryan Bedder / Getty Images

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Lopez, a native New Yorker who supports Children's Hospital in Los Angeles and other causes, created this glam gem-encrusted structure.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Celeb Mini Houses Raise Money for Homeless

Diddy’s has a helicopter on top. Ludacris has a Lexus outside of his. And Vera Wang’s looks like a wedding dress. VIEW OUR GALLERY of mini-houses designed by celebrities to raise money for homeless families in NYC.