Micro-Home at “Community First! Village” to Provide Affordable, Permanent Housing for Individual Coming Out of Chronic Homelessness
On the heels of the very successful construction of its first ever “tiny home” in Austin’s “Community First! Village,” Lennar Homes Austin is already beginning work on its second such project to help provide affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness.
Lennar’s first “tiny home” began one year ago at “Community First! Village,” a 51-acre master-planned community in Central East Austin that upon full capacity will be home to more than 200 formerly homeless men and women. While Lennar has built homes of all sizes and styles over the years, this “tiny home” concept stands out from all others not only in its design, but for the impact it will have on its future owner and the greater homeless population in Central Texas.
Lennar is again partnering with HomeAid Austin, a leading national non-profit provider of housing for homeless organizations, to construct its second “tiny home.” HomeAid collaborates with industry leaders such as Lennar to develop, build and maintain safe, stable and dignified housing at a fraction of the cost, providing solutions to get those experiencing homelessness the housing and support they need to get back on their feet.
“We were very pleased with our partnership with HomeAid Austin and Mobile Loaves and Fishes on the construction of our first “tiny home,” and are looking forward to getting the second home constructed for this very worthy cause,” said Charlie Coleman, Division President for Lennar Homes. “Creating residences that benefit an individual that has experienced homelessness is something of great importance to each member of our team, and we hope more homes and communities like this can be developed across Central Texas and other states where we operate.”
While the “tiny homes” are distinct on their own, so too is the master vision for “Community First! Village,” which is a development of the social outreach ministry, Mobile Loaves & Fishes. Residents will have access to laundry, restroom and shower facilities, outdoor kitchens, Capital Metro Bus Stop, community art house, community cinema, community concessions and catering, community market, organic farming, woodworking shop, walking trails and a resource center. The goal is to create a transformative residential program to love and serve neighbors who have been living on the streets, while also empowering the surrounding community into a lifestyle of service with the homeless.
Since its founding in 1954, Lennar Homes has built more than one million homes and counting across America. For perspective, that means more people have chosen Lennar to make their dream home a reality than the entire populations of several U.S. states, including Alaska, Delaware, District of Columbia, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming. Lennar and its entire team hope that these “tiny homes” will allow many more individuals to experience the sense of joy, pride and security made possible through owning a home.
