Local groups battle homelessness with tiny home village

On Monday morning, saws went down as construction began for a Tiny House Village in Dover. Members of Port Hope Delaware and Victory Church gathered to see their project come to life. However,  this was possible just a week ago when Pastor Aaron Appling donated 4.5 acres of the church’s land to begin this mission.

Sue Harris, one of the founders of  Port Hope Delaware, “It was a good thing that I was by myself in the car because someone would have thought I lost my mind or won a million dollars or something. I screamed I cried. I thanked God. I thanked Jesus.”

Harris tells us the tiny home village in Dover will house those who are chronically  homeless.

“The ones that have been out there for years and years and have cycled through the systems over and over again,” says Harris.

As of Monday,  contractors were building a tiny home that will serve as a guide for the rest of the 15 homes. Harris tells us each home will measure 10 by 20 feet and will house one person.

“Each one of the houses will have it’s small kitchen, small bathroom, small living area, so they can have their own little home,” says Harris.

Harris tells us it will cost approximately $10,000 to build each one. So far they’ve received donations from the church to buy it’s first materials Port Hope has also presented a plan to the local prison industries,  who are considering partnering with them on this project. Officials tell us they will operate without government funding and help those who have fallen through the system’s cracks.

“Every person should have the option  to have a house over their head and we believe in the state of Delaware. It is a small state but we could totally eradicate homelessness,” says Appling.

Officials tell us this is just the first phase of their project,  they eventually want to add more homes and also take in couples as well.

Harris tells us they will be presenting  their model tiny home to state representatives on June 2nd. They also tell us are still in the works in applying for a  building permit through the county and making sure their tiny home follows code laws.

For more information on this Tiny Home Village click here.