Help build a tiny home community for TWOC in AZ

The Outlaw Project was founded by Monica Jones in 2016 in the name of the late Sharmus Outlaw, a Black Trans Woman and dedicated organizer, activist  and harm-reduction advocate.  The Outlaw Project has worked on efforts such as a Covid-relief fund for Trans Women, & sex workers, harm reduction policy work related to HIV,  advocacy with the UN Commission on the Status of Women, and many others.  The current goal of The Outlaw Project is to create a tiny home community in southern AZ for Trans women of color. This project will serve as bridge and emergency housing, as well as a community building center that focuses on the needs and human rights of Trans women of color. Our namesake, Sharmus Outlaw experienced housing insecurity until the end of her life in spite of all of her amazing work. We don't want this to be the story for Trans Women of color. 

We have amazing news-an ally has agreed to sell their land to us in Tucson, which includes a 3 bedroom house and almost a 1/4 of an acre of land on which to build tiny homes. We are so excited, and the deal is done. But we have a LOT of work to do to get the land ready and build these houses. 

The good news: The land already has a 3 bedroom house and workable land for gardens. It also has several small structures that may be able to be appropriated into other projects. 

Our ask: We want to build tiny homes out of shipping containers that are nice, comfortable, and well suited to Trans women experiencing unstable housing. We need your support. There is so much need right now. We don't want to wait. The Outlaw Project has some grant money, but we don't know where and when the next grant will come from. We need your help to get this project off the ground NOW. At this moment, we need about $25,000 to jumpstart the project and help us to not have to keep paying for things out of pocket. This year, we need about $100k to create rolling housing for 6-10 folks. We're ready, we have the volunteers and we have the heart and drive. But we need some money to build these tiny homes, rehab the house and land, and build capacity.  We're asking for support from folks who believe in a future in which Trans women of color and sex workers are afforded basic human rights like housing, medical care, protection from violence, and the opportunity to live their dreams.

If you don't have money but have skills or time to donate? Amazing!! We need all hands on deck! Email us at [email redacted]

What will we do with the funds? 

We have amazing connections with Tucson community, and many folks willing to volunteer their labor. Any money donated will be funneled into hard costs and professional labor. We are so close. Any money donated will get us over the finish line.

All Donations of $10 or more will receive a personalized postcard and note from our Executive Director Monica Jones.