New tiny residential village opens with 60 units despite ‘controversy’ – people say it’s a ‘mini version’ of local neighborhood

AFTER years of planning, a new, tiny village has opened in San Francisco, but it will only remain there for two years.

The community opened in the Mission District on Tuesday with 60 cabins for homeless local residents.

There is space for up to 68 residents, depending on the number of couples moving in, says the San Francisco Examiner.

Each cabin has a lockable door, bed, storage space, furniture and heating.

The property has hygiene facilities, a dining area and a common area where residents can access meals, case management and health services.

The villa is located at 1979 Mission St., and each cabin costs a staggering $113,000 when you take into account the cost of other amenities, according to the Chronicle of San Francisco.

The expensive project was put on hold in early 2023 due to community backlash over the cost.

Hillary Ronen, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors who represents the Mission District, expressed concern that the city was failing to keep the area around the shelter free of tents, loitering, graffiti and trash.

She called the initial cost estimate of $100,000 per cabin “insane,” but later in the year offered support for the project once officials assured her there would be a full-time employee to handle community complaints.

“It looks like a mini version of every beautiful street and neighborhood here in San Francisco,” she said.

“It feels truly healing and will be a great transition from the street.”

However, the village is only expected to remain there for about two years. Developers will then transform the property into an affordable housing project.

DELICATE HOUSE

There are several small residential communities throughout California that offer refuge to homeless people.

The La Posada Project opened in Santa Barbara County earlier this month with 80 rent-free units.

Residents can enjoy three meals a day, 24/7 security, and intensive case management services.

Both couples and individuals are welcome in the village and can bring their pets with them.

“We operate based on what I call the four P’s,” said Jack Lorenz of Dignity Moves, the organization that worked with the county to build the village.

“We offer everyone a private room with a locked door. They can bring their belongings, they can bring their pets, and in exchange for giving them all these amenities, people have to agree to work with an intensive case manager to come work out an exit plan that gets them into stable housing. ​​within 6 to 12 months.”

Residents experiencing long-term homelessness in southern Santa Barbara County, including eastern Goleta Valley, are eligible to live at La Posada.

They must go through a referral process to be considered for a move.

A small village in Southern California offers “epic views” of one of the state’s iconic mountain ranges.

Barndominiums, which are barns converted into homes, have also become extremely popular among tiny house dwellers.