Tiny House Communities Popping Up to Shelter Homeless

An empty lot near 38th and Walnut Street in Denver is set to be transformed into a small community of 11 tiny homes for people transitioning out of homelessness. Andrew Kenney of Denverite reports that the project, proposed by a collective of religious organizations, will occupy a 0.6 acre site and will be able to house 14 people. The tiny house village will be "off-the-grid", and will include showers, restrooms and laundry service provided by a local non-profit.

“Our idea is that we can find a place for people to live who desperately need housing, in a way that works for adjacent neighborhoods, in a way that works for dignity for residents, in a way that is legal and transparent. That’s my vision,” said Vern Rempel, senior pastor for Beloved Community Mennonite Church, a key sponsor of the project....

In order to get approval, the organizers basically have had to argue for an entirely new type of land use.

“It feels like the city in the conversation is feeling better and better about the argument,” Rempel said. "…They’ve been showing up at the table with us, over and over again.”

In Portland, a similar tiny home village is being proposed for a vacant lot in the city's Kenton neighborhood. KGW reports that residents of the neighborhood voted in support of a 14-home, temporary housing project located on a vacant lot that will provide transitional housing for homeless women. The homes are being designed by Portland State University students. KGW reports that after a year, the tiny-home village may be relocated to another site in the city.