Community citizens, business leaders, and local nonprofits have joined together to form a coalition seeking a new temporary housing solution for Reno’s houseless population. The Reno Tiny Homes Coalition (RTHC) has mobilized to launch a fundraising campaign in support of the tiny homes village pilot project being proposed to be constructed in 2018.
The campaign was launched Dec. 19 on MobileCause and is seeking $100,000 for initial costs. A total of $250,000 will ultimately be needed to fund the site and ongoing operations, which will include case workers.
“This effort is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves and safe a stable place to sleep,” said Reno City Councilmember Neoma Jardon. “Tiny homes in other cities have been shown to be cleaner, safer, better organized, and have better outcomes for our citizens. As colder temperatures hit us, our most vulnerable citizens suffer the most.”
This pilot project tiny house village will include 40 tiny homes and a central facility with toilets, showers, kitchen, and a community space. It is anticipated that 10 homes will be built at a time. Residents would most likely remain in the homes an average of four months before moving to other housing options. The location is also the proposed site of a new overflow shelter, to be considered at Wednesday’s City Council meeting.
“We are calling on business and civic leaders—as well as anyone who can help—to contribute,” Jardon said. “Any amount is appreciated.”
The Reno City Council voted unanimously in support of the tiny homes project, and city staff are examining the feasibility of the site. Money raised will go to the Volunteers of America, a 501(c)(3) organization, to fund building the homes.
Jardon, Abbi Whitaker of The Abbi Agency, and Bob Conrad of ThisisReno.com are working together with the Volunteers of America, ACTIONN, RISE, Northern Nevada HOPES, and other partners to spearhead this effort.
The campaign is online: https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/RenoTinyHome This community fundraising campaign is an effort of the Reno Tiny Homes Coalition and is supported by the Volunteers of America NCNN, a 501(c)3 non-profit, as fiscal sponsor.
