Two tiny homes are being built in north St. Louis that will be completed early next year and  house people without a home. The final Tiny Houses Project will include three tiny houses placed on a lot in the Jeff-Vener-Lou neighborhood of north St. Louis, located behind Sts. Teresa and Bridget Church. CF. Vatterott Construction feels honored to be part of these efforts to help make a change in the community along with North Grand Neighborhood Services, Rockwood School District, Social Justice 4 All, the Catholic community, St. Clare of Assisi School and St. Alban Roe. 

Each 14 by 26 foot tiny house includes a kitchen, open living and sleeping area, and a bathroom with a toilet, skink and shower. The efforts of these tiny homes is to provide housing for people transitioning from homlessness. The project organizers have said that the joint effort addresses the needs of homeless people in the St. Louis area. The project started with Social Justice 4 All, a group of Catholics and other Christians who are invested in raising awareness of social issues and improving the lives of other St. Louis citizens. 

Social Justice 4 All, connected with students in the Geometry in Construction classes at Rockwood Summit and Eureka High schools to build the first two tiny houses. Each house is 14 by 26 feet and one is painted blue, the other is painted green. A third tiny house is scheduled to be built in 2020 on the same site. St. Clare of Assisi and St. Alban Roe have been involved in the efforts to raise funds for the third house, with hopes to bring other local St. Louis Catholic schools and Parish Schools of Religion on board with the project. 

According to North Grand Neighborhood Services, a committee is currently in the process of being formed in efforts to identify the first tiny home residents. The anticipated occupancy is set for Feb. 1, 2020. Donna Torrillo, executive director of North Grand Neighborhood Services, said that North grand is committed to being present in the neighborhood to help make it a better place for everybody. “The people in the neighborhood are fantastic,” she said. “Our renters and neighbors, we absolutely love them. The people in the neighborhood want what everyone wants — a decent place to live, a place safe for their kids to go out and play. In the country we live in, there should not be homeless people. We are one of the richest countries, and yet we have people living on the street or living in properties that are inadequate. Everybody deserves decent housing.”

To learn more about the Tiny Houses Project or to donate, contact Dianne Marshak with Social Justice 4 All at (314) 302-0595 or email dianne.marshak@gmail.com. A GoFundMe page has been set up at www.gofundme.com/f/tinyhouses-stl.