One of the first youth tiny house villages in the United States is under construction in the East Bay, and will provide shelter for the homeless teenagers and young adults who are helping to build it.
The 27 structures will go up on Hegenberger Rd. in Oakland, but are being constructed behind the Youth Spirit Artworks’ building in Berkeley. YSA, the organization responsible for the initiative, is a jobs training program for low-income and at-risk youth.
They are expected to be move-in ready by August and measure 8 ft. by 14 ft.
"They're actually beautiful houses,” Hindman told KCBS Radio. “Each one has a warm floor, a solar warm floor, and a sky light and beautiful windows. They each have two doors. So, they’re lovely.”
Hindman noted that over 1,200 volunteers from 32 interstate partners helped to build the homes, including individuals from local Buddhist, Muslim and Jewish communities.
Additionally, YSA started a crowdfunding page to help financially support the project. To date, the initiative has received more than $32,000 in donations.