A group of non-profits and community leaders are launching an ambitious project in Marrietta, Georgia to address the growing homelessness crisis.
In a bid to tackle homelessness among local students and their families, the $3M project is sure to be a lifeline for many.
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Named Emmanuel’s Village, this tiny home community will provide transitional housing and a path towards stability for families in need.
NEW BEGINNINGS
Led by Kevin Pounds of MUST Ministries and Molly Holm, owner of Glory Haus, the initiative will build a community of tiny homes on Cobb Parkway.
Consisting of 15 tiny homes, the area will serve families for several months to over a year and a half.
It will offer those in need a safe and stable environment to regain their footing.
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Holm and Pounds brought together faith-based groups and local non-profits to make the vision a reality.
The village, named after the biblical word “Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us,” aims to convey hope and care to families.
“There are more than 500 homeless students attending Marietta schools and over 1,900 in Cobb County schools,” Pounds said.
“Some of these families are living in shelters, minivans parked at Walmart, or extended-stay motels. This project is a chance to change their lives.”
“For many of the homeless, it feels like the community, their families, or even God has given up on them,” Pounds said.
This shows the true extent of the crisis in the area, a huge blow for the area.
GIVING BACK
“The importance of projects like this is especially clear during freezing winter nights,” Pounds said.
This was in reference to Atlanta’s recent cold and snowy weather conditions.
Families lining up at warming centers and shelters have hit rock bottom. Emmanuel’s Village is an upstream solution to prevent families from reaching that point.”
The project has an estimated cost of $3 million and has already received approval from Marietta city leaders.
As well as government approval, local churches and community members have also begun contributing funds to support the construction.
Beyond just housing, Emmanuel’s Village will create a sense of community.
Plans include a playground, gardens, and other communal spaces to foster connection and healing.
This project aims to move families out of survival mode and onto a path of self-sufficiency.
Construction is expected to begin by summer, and the homes will serve as a beacon of hope for Marietta’s most vulnerable families.
What is a tiny home?
Technically, a tiny home is any house measuring under 400 square feet.
Many tiny homes are built on trailers so they can be towed anywhere, and some are converted from old school buses or vans.
Each state has its own rules about tiny homes, but, generally, they are not subject to the same taxes as regular homes.
However, Alaska, Iowa, Louisiana, North Dakota, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, and West Virginia have made tiny homes illegal as permanent dwellings.
