Richmond Tiny House Village, Farm, and Garden

Dear Supporters,

We're reaching out to you today with a powerful vision and an urgent call to action. The Richmond Tiny House Village, Farm, and Garden Project aims to transform the lives of unsheltered young people, ages 18 to 24, in our community. The City of Richmond currently lacks dedicated housing for these vulnerable youth, and it's time for us to come together and change that.

The Challenge: A Lack of Stable Housing for Youth

Imagine being a young person trying to navigate life's challenges without the stability of a safe and secure home. For many unsheltered youth in Richmond, this is their daily reality. The lack of affordable and stable housing is the number one obstacle they face in pursuing their dreams and aspirations. These young individuals have identified the need for stable housing, consistent access to essential services, and the support of a peer-driven community to break the cycle of homelessness.

Our Vision: The Richmond Tiny House Village

In response to this pressing need, we've developed a visionary plan - the Richmond Tiny House Village, Farm, and Garden Project. This innovative project is born out of the collective dreams of Richmond's youth. The Tiny House Village will consist of twelve dedicated units, each a tiny house serving as a safe haven for a young person. These houses will form a small, well-supported community where these youth can rebuild their lives.

But that's not all - we're also building supplemental structures to enhance the village's functionality. These include a tiny house for a Resident Assistant, two yurts (a Kitchen/Dining Room Yurt and a Community Space Yurt with laundry facilities), an Entrance Security Cabin, and a two-restroom Bathroom Trailer. These structures will ensure that the Tiny House Village is a comprehensive and empowering, and dignified environment.

Our Approach: Collaboration and Community

The Richmond Tiny House Village, Farm, and Garden Project is a collaborative effort managed by a Steering Committee comprising representatives from partner organizations and skilled community volunteers. Throughout the project, we're activating fourteen Working Groups, each focused on specific components of the project. These groups consist of volunteer specialists in various building areas, all coming together to make this vision a reality.

The Numbers Tell the Story

According to the latest point-in-time count, the number of unhoused individuals in Richmond has surged by a staggering 90 percent since 2019, with 632 people unsheltered on any given night in 2022. Our city ranks at the top county-wide for having the largest population of unhoused individuals. Among them, 20 percent are homeless youth, which means that up to 125 young people in Richmond are without shelter every day.

Tiny Houses: A Proven Solution

Tiny House Villages have already proven their worth in the Bay Area and beyond. In Oakland, the Youth Spirit Artwork's Tiny House Empowerment Village has provided safe housing for 22 youth ages 18 to 24. Similarly, in San Francisco, Dignity Moves has established a 70-unit village serving homeless adults. These initiatives have the potential to transform lives and create lasting change.

Your Support: Building Dreams, One Tiny House at a Time

We can't do this alone. We're reaching out to you, our community, to help us make this vision a reality. Your contribution will directly fund the construction of these tiny houses, supplemental structures, and the creation of a nurturing and empowering environment for Richmond's unsheltered youth.

Every dollar you donate brings us closer to breaking the cycle of homelessness for these young individuals. Let's show them that their dreams matter, that their future is worth investing in, and that we believe in their potential.

Join us in building a brighter future for Richmond's unsheltered youth. Together, we can make innovative, dedicated youth housing a reality. Donate today and be a part of this transformative journey!

With gratitude and hope,

Organizers of the Richmond Tiny House Village, Farm, and Garden