PORT ORCHARD — Homes for All, a tiny homes village planned for South Kitsap, has received an $11,153 AARP Livable Communities challenge grant, Kitsap County Commissioner Charlotte Garrido said July 23.
Garrido said the funds will be used to renovate a donated 320-square-foot trailer into an ADA-compliant, shared kitchen facility to be located within the village. The trailer will provide the community with room for food storage, appliances, meal preparation, individual lockers for residents and a multipurpose community room where they can have meals together and participate in activities such as education and wellness classes.
“These funds will allow us to begin renovation of the trailer immediately,” Garrido said. “Having a central gathering place for the village will be vital to building a sense of community and improving the confidence, health and well-being of the residents.”
The Homes for All grant is one of only 129 awarded nationwide and one of two in Washington state. AARP is distributing $1.3 million to innovative projects that “inspire change and positively impact the lives of all ages,” according to a news release from Kitsap County’s commissioners’ office.
Nancy LeaMond, AARP executive vice president of community, state and national affairs, said her organization developed the grant program in response to feedback received about the need to build momentum for more livable communities across the country.
LeaMond said AARP is funding similar communities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
Homes for All is a countywide leadership coalition of government agencies, businesses, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, partnering to provide affordable micro-houses that are safe, secure and sanitary option for those who have no home, she added.
The coalition’s tiny house village in South Kitsap is a pilot “livability community” project that will provide housing, case management and care services for men, women, families and seniors. The village design incorporates 14 tiny homes as transitional, emergency or temporary housing for approximately 20 residents and will include shared open space for community activities.
For more information about Homes for All, call 360-337-7287 or email homesforall@co.kitsap.wa.us.
