Community members and officials were on hand Saturday, Nov. 20, to celebrate the opening of a village of 25 tiny homes in the city of Baldwin Park.
Esperanza Villa is the first tiny home village of its kind in the San Gabriel Valley, and unsheltered residents are scheduled to move into their tiny homes during Thanksgiving week.
“Baldwin Park is proud to spearhead this unique effort to combat homelessness in the San Gabriel Valley,” said Emmanuel J. Estrada, Mayor of Baldwin Park. “Tiny homes provide the safety and privacy that is lacking in more traditional congregate shelters while helping residents’ transition to permanent housing.”
The tiny homes are heated and air-conditioned and include a bed, desk and outlet for charging devices. The homes are intended to provide bridge housing for about three months before residents are placed into permanent housing; this allows up to 100 people to be served per year.
The city of Baldwin Park, San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust and San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments joined forces for this project. The city provided the site at 14173 Garvey Ave., dedicated staff time and labor.
The Housing Trust and SGVCOG provided technical assistance, $500,000 in grant funding for preparation of the site and the acquisition of homes and facilities as well as $800,000 for the first year of operation with options to fund additional years, according to a news release.