We learned last week that My Father’s House in Paola had received a one million dollar grant to help fund a tiny home village on their property. President and CEO of My Father’s House, Beth Waddle, has spent the past two decades addressing the issue of rural homelessness, and she’s been a part of the My Father’s House transitional housing shelter since it’s beginning. She says she is excited about the tiny home village project because she said it will offer affordable housing and generate a sense of community. Each tiny home will be about 400 square feet and will feature a kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom, designed for one person or a couple.
The plan is to have up to 40 tiny homes in the community, and My Father’s House has already applied for $1.5 million in funding for Phase 2, which would be another 20 homes. Waddle says one of her visions for the community is to have a central building for things like classes, laundry machines and a community room. Occupants of the homes would pay an income-based rent and will offer housing without a time limit attached.
It’s estimated that nearly 1,100 rural people in Miami County may be homeless. Waddle says those are the people who may find a temporary or even permanent home at the tiny home village.
