A non-profit organization, Tiny Homes in the Name of Christ, has built 9 tiny homes in Island County to help homeless people find somewhere to live and build a future.

Tiny homes are not the ultimate solution to homelessness, but they can help. They are a transitional space for homeless people to get back on their feet and into a more permanent living situation. Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier has been a big proponent of tiny homes and has an initiative to build a community, ‘Pierce County Village’.

King 5 News is reporting on the new, Island County development, built by volunteers and donations from the community.

Tiny home villages has been offered as part of the solution to homelessness, but needs careful management to prevent a ‘Hooverville’ of rundown shanties from appearing on every street corner. However, with the right oversight and requirements, tiny homes could be an option, at least as transitional housing. Criteria requiring residents to be drug free (or in rehab) before gaining access to a tiny home, should be considered, in addition to other behavioral standards to keep people living in the surrounding community safe.

Nataly Spencer, who recently was able to move into one of the tiny homes with her two children, certainly thinks tiny homes are way forward. According to the King 5 article, Spencer was quoted when describing the new home, "I was able to have stability, safety, privacy. It's something I was looking for and my kids love it."

Relaxing restrictions on where tiny homes can be situated, appropriately, and allowing private landowners to donate the use of their land for a specified period, would significantly reduce the cost to set up tiny homes. It would also enable non-profit organizations to donate tiny homes more economically and as a start to help the homeless find a better and more permanent place to live.

Of course, more than temporary tiny homes are needed to help people get off the streets and build a better life for themselves.  For WPC’s recommendations on how to increase housing affordability and availability, without increasing fees and taxes, click here.