A Tiny Home for Good, a Syracuse-based nonprofit, has built 23 tiny homes and refurbished almost two dozen other properties for people experiencing homelessness. The organization’s founder, Andrew Lunetta, saw a pattern of men returning to homeless shelters after moving into the cheapest housing available. He realized that people were not failing at housing, but rather housing was failing them.

Support and Stability

The tiny homes offer a sense of calm and stability, which is essential for people coming out of shelters, especially those dealing with trauma, mental illness, or substance use disorder. The homes are small but complete, with a kitchen, bathroom, and a washer and dryer. Residents avoid shared hallways, roommate conflicts, and constant noise that can make other housing arrangements difficult to sustain.

The organization provides long-term support, including help managing addiction, mental health care, and day-to-day resources. The support looks different for each tenant, with some needing daily check-ins and others needing less frequent contact. The organization also hosts groups and activities that give residents a chance to connect and build relationships.

A New Lease on Life

For resident Rhea Holmes, her tiny house meant the difference between life and death. After her husband’s death, she lost her housing and spent eight months living at his grave. Now, she has a place to call her own, filled with plants, pictures, and her belongings. The organization’s case management has helped her rebuild important basics of her life, including replacing her birth certificate, driver’s license, and Social Security card.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.