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31 March 2024
MCPHERSON, Kan. (KSNW) — A small town is combating homelessness with tiny homes and other housing, and so far, it has a 75% success rate.
The McPherson Housing Coalition built 10 tiny homes entirely with community donations. The city provided some sewer and infrastructure support, but now the group is expanding, hoping to help even more families experiencing homelessness.
At 400 S. Oak St., you’ll find a quiet little village where unhoused in McPherson are offered a place to stay.
“Lots of people jumped on board, and we broke ground in May of 2021,” said Chris Goodson. the executive director of the McPherson Housing Coalition.
Goodson said this kind of shelter, allowing families to be together, is more effective than a traditional emergency shelter.
“This really works because if you look around here, you can see, ‘Do you not feel safe in this space?'” Goodson said.
This village is where Breanna Kennedy found that security with her two kids.
“I think other towns should definitely do it; I don’t see why other towns couldn’t if McPherson is,” said Kennedy, who lived in the cottages.
Breanna turned to the tiny homes after filing for bankruptcy. Medical bills from an extensive surgery on her head left her with nowhere to go. A friend recommended the McPherson Housing Coalition.
“I was working through surgeries, but yeah, I had employment every chance I could. I really don’t take off work for anything,” Kennedy said.
After spending a maximum of 90 days in the cottage, she’s now living in an apartment with her two kids. She gets a small amount of assistance in paying her rent, which helps out, as she’s now battling thyroid cancer thankful for what the coalition has done to address homelessness in the community.
“I don’t think it can really get much better than they’re doing because they’re already continuing to do more. So for a small community, they’ve exceeded expectations,” Kennedy said.
The McPherson Housing Coalition is using $1.2 million in HUD grants to build seven homes in the new Sutherland Estates. These will be larger to accommodate more bigger families. They’ve also applied for ARPA funding to build five more homes.