In a push to help house the working homeless and blaze a path for others they hope will follow, HomeAid Northern California led a team of dedicated homebuilders and contractors that completed six “Tiny Homes” at the First Presbyterian Church in Hayward. Team members included Branagh, Brookfield Residential, Pulte Homes, William Lyon Homes, Richmond American Homes and XL Construction with Pacific InterWest and CoBuild acting as project managers.
Dubbed “Tiny Homes” because of their compact size, the 157 sq. ft. units are equipped with everything residents will need –kitchen, bed, shower – during their transition from homelessness into permanent housing. Residents who participate in the 18-month “Tiny Homes” program will be able to use the rent they have paid to the First Presbyterian Church toward a deposit on a permanent home.
When First Presbyterian Church Pastor Jake Medcalf described the Tiny Home project to the HomeAid Board of Directors, the industry responded immediately. HomeAid was proud to support First Presbyterian Church of Hayward with 6 Builder Captains who stepped up to build the 6 Tiny Homes over a 6-week period. “I am so impressed and inspired by the support of the building industry to house those in need,” said HomeAid Executive Director Cheryl O’Connor.
HomeAid matches the residential building industry’s expertise and resources with those of the homeless housing and service providers to dramatically improve the lives of hundreds of people throughout the Bay Area. HomeAid is the charitable arm of BIA, a membership organization that represents more than 400 companies in the residential development industry. The Sales & Marketing Council of the BIA collected gift cards to purchase home décor and design elements as we well as essentials for the 6 tiny homes. The thousands of dollars in gift cards raised by the Sales & Marketing Council provided each of the tiny homes with cookware, dishes, towels and linens so the residents would move in to a comfortable welcoming new home.
“I can’t express how much the Tiny Homes program will help me and others get into permanent housing,” shared one of the new residents who had been living in her car for the past two years. “It’s comforting and encouraging to know there’s people in our community willing to help out in such life-changing way. And everyone’s been so kind and helpful throughout this entire process.”
“Tiny Homes is truly a labor of love showcasing how the private sector, local government and non-profit can partner together to meet the immediate needs of our local community in a big way,” shared Chizu Buckalew, community development director, First Presbyterian Church of Hayward. “Tiny Homes will provide a warm, safe and stable place for homeless to begin their journey toward more permanent housing and we are here to do everything we can to help.”
About HomeAid:
HomeAid Northern California has completed 45 projects worth more than $21 million that provide critical shelter capacity for more than 8,000 people experiencing homelessness. HomeAid brings together the residential homebuilding industry’s resources and expertise with those of homelessness service providers. Combined, the residential industry has donated more than $12 million in material and labor and worked with 20 homeless service providers throughout the Bay Area. For more information about HomeAid Northern California,visit homeaidnc.org