Richmond is next up in looking at tiny houses for temporary relief to rising homelessness.
The idea is modeled after two similar ongoing projects in Washington and Oregon, where residents live in village-style houses ranging from 60-80 square feet for $30 a month and communal work shifts, according to a Richmond City Council staff report.
Richmond Councilwoman Jovanka Beckles introduced the idea to the City Council in January, hoping it would serve as temporary housing for families who are homeless or transitioning into affordable housing.
“What I’ve seen is the effect that it has on the children’s ability to learn in school,” says Beckles, “When children are displaced so often with nothing stable -- not a stable place to live -- it creates a lot of anxiety and trauma for them.”
At a meeting Tuesday night, the Richmond City Council voted unanimously to direct the city manager to research the feasibility of developing tiny houses in the city, after reviewing a staff report on similar projects.