Rochester’s “tiny home” village proposal takes a step forward

9-home project for city’s most vulnerable would include supportive services

The houses will be for people in need of affordable housing (Getty)
The homes will be for people in need of affordable housing (Getty)

Rochester housing advocates want to utilize the “tiny home” model to provide shelter for residents most in need.

Now, a city-backed proposal for a community of tiny homes took its first step forward by receiving initial environmental approval, according to ABC 13 WHAM.

The nine homes would be no more than 400 square feet each, according to the report. The project was proposed by the Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative and REACH Advocacy. In addition to the housing, supportive services would be provided on site.

“We have talked to people who spent time in the winter months at shelters and there’s a high degree of interest from people who would like to be housed permanently, but don’t have the skills to do it on their own,” REACH’s Marcia Reaver told the station.

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Each home is expected to cost $90,000 and pre-development costs are around $151,000. The team behind the project hopes to break ground in the spring and build three units each year.

Cost can be an issue for “tiny home” developments. Last year in Los Angeles, the city was criticized after the Los Angeles Times found that each proposed 64 square-foot shelter would cost $130,000, when factoring in the infrastructure required to create the community.

[ABC 13 WHAM] — Dennis Lynch