A Tiny Home Village Offering Hope and Housing to the Homeless
In the heart of Los Angeles, a unique tiny home village has emerged as a lifeline for the city’s homeless population. Known as the Chandler Tiny Home Village, this vibrant community was built in response to the growing need for housing solutions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Established in 2021 by the nonprofit organization Hope of the Mission, this village stands as a beacon of hope for those without a place to call home. With its colorful, well-designed homes and array of amenities, the village has become a blueprint for similar projects across the nation.
A Safe Haven with a Purpose
The Chandler Tiny Home Village is nestled on what was once an oddly-shaped parking lot. It boasts 40 tiny homes and 75 beds, offering a safe and welcoming space for individuals in need. The village is designed to provide interim housing, allowing residents to stabilize their lives while they work toward finding permanent housing. Each tiny home, measuring 64 square feet, is equipped with essential amenities such as heating, air conditioning, two beds, outlets, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, windows, a small desk, and a locking front door. These features ensure privacy and a sense of independence, which are crucial for residents as they rebuild their lives.
The village also offers a range of supportive services, including onsite meals, WiFi, showers, mental health support, job training, and case management. Additionally, a small dog park is available for residents with pets. While residents do not pay rent, they are expected to work toward finding permanent housing within a 90-day period, with extensions available upon review. To qualify for a spot, applicants must be unsheltered and reside within a three-mile radius of the site. A vulnerability team at Hope of the Mission assesses each individual’s needs before offering them a place in the village.
A Model for Transitional Housing
What sets the Chandler Tiny Home Village apart from other housing solutions is its emphasis on creating a homely and non-institutional environment. The village’s design features bright colors and thoughtful layout, which aim to uplift residents and blend seamlessly into the surrounding neighborhood. The U.S. Office of Policy Development and Research has praised the village as a prototype for future transitional housing projects, highlighting its ability to be developed quickly on city-owned property while coexisting with nearby residential areas.
The architecture firm Lehrer Architects, which designed the village, noted that the project transforms a neglected parking lot into a thriving community space. The use of prefabricated “pallet shelters” ensures efficiency and sustainability, while the colorful details and creative design foster a sense of pride and belonging among residents and the broader community. This innovative approach has inspired other similar villages, with Hope of the Mission opening six additional tiny home villages and the city of Los Angeles constructing 6,700 units of transitional housing and 11 tiny home villages.
The Concept of Tiny Homes
A tiny home is typically defined as a house measuring less than 400 square feet. These compact dwellings are often built on trailers or repurposed from old school buses or vans, making them portable and adaptable. While tiny homes offer an affordable and efficient housing solution, their legality varies by state. Some states have banned them as permanent dwellings, though they are generally exempt from the same taxes as traditional homes. Despite these challenges, tiny homes like those in the Chandler Village have proven to be a valuable tool in addressing homelessness.
A Community Built on Compassion and Urgency
The Chandler Tiny Home Village is more than just a place to stay; it is a community built on compassion and urgency. By providing interim housing and supportive services, the village helps residents regain stability and dignity while they work toward permanent housing. As CEO of Hope of the Mission, Ken Craft, has emphasized, the housing-first model is critical in addressing homelessness. However, the lack of affordable housing in cities like Los Angeles necessitates innovative solutions like the tiny home village.
This village exemplifies the balance between urgency and compassion, offering a safe and supportive environment for those in need. As a model for future housing projects, it inspires hope and shows that even the most challenging problems can be met with creative and humane solutions. The Chandler Tiny Home Village is not just a temporary fix but a step toward a brighter future for its residents and a blueprint for communities nationwide.