The ‘Tiny Home’ Solution
_July 13,2019-
Could the ‘tiny home’ trend help stem the tide of homelessness in Tulare County? If this experiment works – other towns could try it as well.
A project to house homeless people in Visalia is being promoted by the Visalia County Center Rotary Club and headed up by architect Sharon Shelzter. ” We are proposing a ‘tiny home village’ of 24 units that would be sleeping quarters for homeless people” says Sheltzer.
The units will be clustered on open land with a large tent available for dining, a bathroom and bathhouse as well as a kitchen. Sheltzer notes that the project will be categorized as “temporary” hopefully allowing it to move forward in less time than a permanent development.
The location for the proposed micro-housing development would be on open land next to the Congregation B’nai David temple at 1039 S Chinowth who would donate the land. The site is some 60 ft wide by 260 deep.
”We are working with neighbors to let them know about the plan “adds Sheltzer.
The project is the subject of a site-plan review hearing with the city July 17. Just how codes may be enforced in this circumstance will be discussed,.
The organizers are also working with the Tulare/Kings Homeless Alliance on the unique plan, she adds.The Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance is a coalition of homeless housing and service providers, advocates, government representatives and consumers working together to shape regional planning and decision-making. Since its inception in 1999, the Alliance has worked building to improve access to housing and to health, education, employment and other supportive services connected to or as part of varied levels of homeless support in the bi-county region.
The development will the be the first ‘tiny home’ project in Visalia. Homes generally under 400 square feet are considered tiny homes may be a way to deliver affordable housing if codes and regulations can be accommodating some say.
Several cities have pioneered connecting the tiny-home trend with their homeless problem including Seattle, as seen in this photo.
The Visalia Rescue Mission has collected the facts about homelessness in Tulare County.
•Approximately 630 people are homeless in Tulare County.
•The number one reason for homelessness in Tulare County is unemployment.
•In Tulare County, 12% of the homeless population is under the age of 17, 7% are between the ages of 18 and 24, and 81% are over the age of 24.
•26% of the homeless population in Tulare County are victims of domestic abuse.
•Substance abuse is a problem for 27% of those experiencing homelessness in Tulare County.
A recently published report from the Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance reveals homelessness in Kings and Tulare counties has risen 11% in the last year. The number of homeless in Tulare County is over 800 this year says the agency.
A number of public meetings have outlined the extent of the problem here called an “explosion of homelessness” by some. Visalia police say calls-for-service due to the increase in homeless has gone up 1000% including fielding some 5000 calls from the public complaining about various homeless impacts.