Tiny-home development planned for the chronically homeless

Tiny-home development planned for the chronically homeless

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Plans are being made to develop 4.5 acres near Springfield into a community of tiny homes for disabled, chronically homeless people.

The Springfield News-Leader reported The Gathering Tree is developing plans for Eden Village, the site of a former trailer park near U.S. 65. The project will include 30 homes of about 400 square feet each and a community center. The project will cost about $1.8 million.

The organization has raised about $90,000 so far, enough for a down payment on the property. At an event last week, Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realtors owner Judy Huntsman gave Gathering Tree founders Linda and David Brown a check for $30,000 to pay for the first tiny, manufactured home.

The homes, which will be manufactured in Athens, Texas. They will include one bedroom, one bathroom and a kitchen.

"All we have to do is roll them in and plug them in. And they are good to go," Linda Brown said.

The shared community building will have laundry facilities and a large kitchen for entertaining up to 30 guests.

David Brown said the goal is to have the first home in place early next year. People can begin moving in once 10 homes and the community center are built, he said.

Eden Village will house people who qualify as "chronically disabled homeless" by standards of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Browns said. Residents, many of whom are on disability, will pay their own rent.