Tiny Homes for Big Problems
Stephanie Stinnett
One project that I have recently noticed growing bigger is building tiny homes for the homeless. All across the country communities of tiny homes are popping up to help those in need. From coast to coast communities are gathering their time and resources to help those around them in need. Are these tiny homes a step in the right direction to ending the very large problem that is homelessness?
One tiny home village in Seattle called Nickelsville began in 2013 with help from the Low-Income Housing Institute. The houses have heating for the winters and fans for the summers. The tiny houses themselves do not have showers or toilets, but there is a main house that provides access to them. The tiny houses do come with a monthly rent of $90, and unfortunately this can be a steep price for those who are out of work. It would however be a very good option for the working homeless. The amazing thing about the tiny houses is that they only cost $2,200 and are funded by private donors. This tiny home village is one of nine that have sprung up in Seattle.
A similar village was built in Kansas City, Missouri on a small plot of land. So far there are thirteen tiny homes in the village that house homeless veterans. For those living on the street’s safety can be a huge issue. You worry about being assaulted or having what little belongings you have stolen. Tiny houses offer a sense of security to their inhabitants. You come home and you lock the door and you’re safe. Right now, this little community in Kansas City only has thirteen homes, but it will soon expand with the help of donors and volunteers.
Another one of these tiny house communities is in Nashville, Tennessee. Reverend Jeff Obafemi Carr of Infinity Fellowship partnered with a construction company owner named Dwayne A. Jones to build six tiny homes. The project so far has cost $50,000 that has been raised from Go Fund Me. The project also received a $120,000 gift from the city of Nashville to aid with the expansion of the project.
Second Wind Cottages in Newfield, New York was built on land donated to the project. So far there are 12 homes, with plans of building at least six or seven more, and a larger common building on the same lot. The men who stay in the cottages will have to pay rent as they are able. The cost of each house is about $15,000 and the funding has been donated by local community members and and businesses.
Those living in these communities are given more than a warm, dry place to sleep. They don’t have to worry about the next place they’re going to sleep, or having their things stolen. They are given security, dignity, and safety. They are also given something special and amazing, a place to call their own.
Sources:
https://www.curbed.com/maps/tiny-houses-for-the-homeless-villages
