CAN COMMUNITY DESIGN SOLVE HOMELESSNESS?
Not into reading a novel...watch the video above for an overview of this case study.
This tiny house village is laying the ground work towards eradicating homelessness through subliminal design and social behaviors.
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Society has stamped the image of homelessness as a virtually urban program and perhaps this is rightfully the case. 70 percent of the population in the 1950s was spread over over rural areas. Now with 55% of the population living in urban centers it would make sense that homelessness has come into closed corners of the world.
Let's face the facts. As our cities continue to grow increasingly more crowded and unaffordable, the homeless population will continue to rise. This is something that cities are coming to terms with and trying to decipher how government can solve this issue through allocating funds. Yet, enter Mobile Leaves and Fishes (a religion based non-profit) that built the largest sustainable formerly homeless village in the world within 5 years.
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About 15 miles outside of downtown Austin, and $22 Lyft ride away, on the outskirts of an overpriced housing market is a village built to house the homeless while also addressing their day to day needs. There are a million different way to address the urban homeless epidemic in our larger cities. Los Angeles for example is starting to beta test a program where it will loan home owners $10k to build a small tiny home on their property if they allow a homeless person or family to stay there. <The loan is essentially forgiven after 10 years of hosting a homeless individual>. Tiny homes have long been the answer to offering more dignified areas outside of shelters to sleep, but the issue in cities is LAND. Fortunately for smaller cities, (small=947,890 people as of 2016) building just outside of town can still offer transportation advantages for these kinds of projects.
Community First is not the only tiny village being built to help house homeless populations, but what attracted me to this particular project was its unique and smart "urban planning" that is designed to target the main cause of the chronically homeless: a lack of community.
In my video field notes above, Mike a volunteer tour guide and staff member, states it best:
Let's face the facts. As our cities continue to grow increasingly more crowded and unaffordable, the homeless population will continue to rise. This is something that cities are coming to terms with and trying to decipher how government can solve this issue through allocating funds. Yet, enter Mobile Leaves and Fishes (a religion based non-profit) that built the largest sustainable formerly homeless village in the world within 5 years.
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About 15 miles outside of downtown Austin, and $22 Lyft ride away, on the outskirts of an overpriced housing market is a village built to house the homeless while also addressing their day to day needs. There are a million different way to address the urban homeless epidemic in our larger cities. Los Angeles for example is starting to beta test a program where it will loan home owners $10k to build a small tiny home on their property if they allow a homeless person or family to stay there. <The loan is essentially forgiven after 10 years of hosting a homeless individual>. Tiny homes have long been the answer to offering more dignified areas outside of shelters to sleep, but the issue in cities is LAND. Fortunately for smaller cities, (small=947,890 people as of 2016) building just outside of town can still offer transportation advantages for these kinds of projects.
Community First is not the only tiny village being built to help house homeless populations, but what attracted me to this particular project was its unique and smart "urban planning" that is designed to target the main cause of the chronically homeless: a lack of community.
In my video field notes above, Mike a volunteer tour guide and staff member, states it best:
The biggest cause of chronic homelessness is loss of community. "
Housing the homeless will not solve the homeless epidemic. It is a band-aid (albeit a huge band-aid!) on what is a societal gaping wound. Addressing the symptoms is not enough, we have to address the cause. Without resources, without a support network, without fulfilling the entire Maslow's pyramid, homelessness will forever be a vicious cycle. So how is Mobile Leaves and Fishes building community for their residents? Let's take a bulleted look at some of the ways in which their design and structure is set up to connect residents with a solid community.
THE HARDWARE
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Physical aspects of community design:
The simplicity that a street sign or even a PARKING TICKET can send subliminal messages about the community you live in is something all urban centers need to consider. We need to consider not just the tangible benefit of community structure, but also the sub textual messaging we are sending to residents.
- No house has a backyard. The only outside personal living space is a front yard which forces the resident to engage with others walking by or lounging on their own porch.
- Aside from the mobile homes who have their own small kitchenette and hotplate, if you want to cook you have to walk the few feet over to the community kitchen areas. This brings neighbors out and cooking side by side and as we all know, breaking bread together helps to solidify human relationships.
- Trashcans everywhere! There is a common known fact that Disney Parks figured this out years ago that if you place a trashcan every few feet, your park stays clean. At the Community First Village there are trashcans accessible on every corner making cleanup for residents and visitors easy.
- Street signs, parking tickets, and a bus stop are aspects of this village. The bus stop makes it easy for residents to get to Austin city limits and the bus also has a 10 minute delay while at the village so no one is rushing to catch it. With the street signs, it conveys to the residents that they live in an actual village and not a compound. The fact that your car can be ticketed for illegal parking also signals that while in a enclosed space you still are a part of the larger municipal community, PLUS it reinforces that there are rules that must be followed.
- The village offers two libraries (two tiny homes that each have a balcony for reading on top of the homes during the summer), community bathhouses, health services, community laundry rooms, local store, movie amphitheater, the forge, an art room, and small goat and chicken farms. These amenities are spread throughout the community which in turn means residents must walk (a very short distance) through their community to visit different services. Walking through the community creates opportunity for socializing and even a wee bit of exercise.
The simplicity that a street sign or even a PARKING TICKET can send subliminal messages about the community you live in is something all urban centers need to consider. We need to consider not just the tangible benefit of community structure, but also the sub textual messaging we are sending to residents.
THE SOFTWARE
Subliminal messaging of community design:
- At Community First Village there are multiple amenities for residents to enjoy. In the center of the village there is a community garden, playground, large chess set, chicken coop, and entertainment area. Placing this in the center requires residents from all areas of the village to bare witness to events and community events.
- Staff members try and memorize everyone's name and encourage eye contact. The simple approach of looking up from the ground, looking someone in the eye, and saying "hello" is an astounding lost art. We have been groomed to think that efficiency means constantly being on our phones or minding our own business. "Being Known" is what they call it. It's a vital aspect for Mobile Leaves and Fishes staff. In fact this topic was what led them to build a small memorial for residents that pass away. This sends the message to all residents that they will always "be known".
- Outside community events. Every Friday the village hosts a free movie night for all of Austin (a resource made possible through a local theatre chain). The purpose of this free movie night is to bring in neighbors with the hope that both the homeless population and Austin residents can build rapport in a relaxing environment. It is also an opportunity for the village residents to work selling popcorn and other food as a source of income.
- The village offers multiple job opportunities to those living onsite. They teach trade skills like pottery, blacksmithing, woodworking, and maintenance. Residents who work these onsite jobs must invoice Mobile Leaves and Fishes for their work. It is not a coop system where their rent is relaxed in exchange for completing chores. They work a real job, have their own business, and are contractors. This system encourages entrepreneurship, dignity, and responsibility among both the residents and staff members.
How is this all possible?
To start, let's look at my own personal experience at Community First. I stayed at the village through the village's airbnb program. They have glamping opportunities (nice teepees) and tiny homes you can stay in. It is a huge draw for those who have always wanted to experience either of these two living situations. I stayed in the teepee because all the tiny homes were already rented out that's how popular it is. It is a valuable marketing tool for them to attract Millennials and tourists alike.
This village was made possible mostly through grants and contributions from the Austin community. Many of their tiny homes were designed and built for free by area architects and developers who wanted to be a sponsor. Their health services are provided through an area clinic. The community garden and weekly farmer's market are run by volunteers and supplied through the gardening and farming the residents themselves help with. Volunteers help teach forging, art, and woodworking. Throughout the village you can see the nameplates of sponsors and contributors to this project--all local businesses and banks. Onsite services like maintenance and cleaning are also provided at cost by any residents who they contract out to. Plus, all residents must pay rent each month. $300-$600 depending on the type of housing they require. For most residents a large portion of this is paid through their unemployment or government assistance checks, so rent as a small source of income helps with some of the upkeep.
The driving revenue of this location is sponsorship and in-kind contributions. What Mobile Loaves and Fishes does well is get their name out there. This village has been featured on Huffpost, the New York Times, and internationally. They are able to get sponsorship because they can prove social capital on return for these funders. Plus, with their occupancy rate at 75% and only climbing it is proof that this village is helping keep our fellow neighbors off the streets of Austin and in turn making Austin a safer place for all participants.
This village was made possible mostly through grants and contributions from the Austin community. Many of their tiny homes were designed and built for free by area architects and developers who wanted to be a sponsor. Their health services are provided through an area clinic. The community garden and weekly farmer's market are run by volunteers and supplied through the gardening and farming the residents themselves help with. Volunteers help teach forging, art, and woodworking. Throughout the village you can see the nameplates of sponsors and contributors to this project--all local businesses and banks. Onsite services like maintenance and cleaning are also provided at cost by any residents who they contract out to. Plus, all residents must pay rent each month. $300-$600 depending on the type of housing they require. For most residents a large portion of this is paid through their unemployment or government assistance checks, so rent as a small source of income helps with some of the upkeep.
The driving revenue of this location is sponsorship and in-kind contributions. What Mobile Loaves and Fishes does well is get their name out there. This village has been featured on Huffpost, the New York Times, and internationally. They are able to get sponsorship because they can prove social capital on return for these funders. Plus, with their occupancy rate at 75% and only climbing it is proof that this village is helping keep our fellow neighbors off the streets of Austin and in turn making Austin a safer place for all participants.