homing project was started in 2021 by a former Dr. Ellio and his son who have experience working on similar projects in Southern California. The effort hopes to provide housing for a small percentage of her more than 2,500 unprotected people in Pima County.

A little over a year into the nonprofit, J. Kristin Olson-Garewal and her son Raj Garewal have partnered with Catalytic Health Partners, an Arizona company. This works with people who tend to overuse conventional medical services. Homeless – Serving Residents. We also have a team of volunteers to help with fundraising, community outreach, planning and development.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Olson Garewal was forced to return $186,000 in funds after the group made an error in applying for US Relief Plans Act grants through the city.

Still, the organizers are optimistic about making up for the money, planning fundraising activities throughout the year, starting with Egyptian high tea at the Scottish Rite Center next month. They also continue to apply for grants, but Olson-Garewal said most funders require him to be in operation for at least three years for the nonprofit to qualify.

Olson-Garewal estimates that about $1.4 million will be needed to complete the project. Initial hopes are for his 30-family village based on the pallet shelter model used in dozens of cities across the United States, but Olson Garewal says his plans for the long-term game are more than that. It is said that it will be

The pallet house comes in 64 square foot and 100 square foot models and is ready to build. The 64-square-foot model has two beds, a desk, and storage space. The larger unit accommodates his family of four, and all pallet houses allow the beds to fold down to maximize space. Each unit has electricity, heating and air conditioning and has a secure locked door.

Homing project plans include on-site security, and the project provides electricity and pays for water, so working residents will pay rent after 6-12 months. By paying “appropriate rent” according to income, we will build up a track record as a tenant and support the search for a more permanent residence. The group plans to hire a chef to form a crew of residents who will take turns cooking meals and cleaning up.

Eligibility to live in the community has not yet been established.

“There’s no such thing as too little money,” she said. “If everyone gave us five dollars, we would participate.”

The 64-square-foot unit in the Tucson Mall spent most of December outside First Christian Church on East Speedway near the University of Arizona. It’s currently in storage, but will be placed outside the mall’s food court from January 13-17.

One Thursday in late December, a group of four stopped by just as Olson-Garew was opening and wanted to learn more about the project.

Olson-Garewal believed that the cold and wet weather had reduced pedestrian traffic, but the small house still had a significant percentage of visitors, most of whom were wondering if and how shelter could be used. I was an individual without a shelter who wanted to know if I could move…one of my own.

After staying at the mall, the tiny house moved across town, and Olson Garewal hopes to display it at the Pima County Fairgrounds, the University of Arizona Mall, and other prominent locations.

This spring, the group received an offer to use nine acres of land free of charge for the next five years. But among zoning, planning, and other issues with space, there’s still a lot of work to do before the group can break ground, install water, and address other infrastructure needs.

They are working with water technicians they found through Habitat for Humanity Tucson and are exploring potential partnerships with this organization.

Andy Squire, spokesman for the Tucson City Authority, said the mayor and city council are open to just about any solution they can explore.

“I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a council that is trying so hard to treat this as humanely as possible and find solutions for members of the homeless community,” he said. “Everyone is using all the power they have.”

According to Squire, a challenge for District 5, where the property the group wants to use, is that neighbors are concerned about additional projects to move unprotected individuals into the neighborhood.

But the property also has construction challenges, including eligibility, building restrictions, fire codes, and access to water, Squire said. Groups should address all of this when submitting plans to the city.

“It’s great that they’re really trying to raise money,” Squire said, adding that the group is also working with an engineering firm that’s in talks with the city’s planning and development department.

Olson Garewal and others are going door-to-door in neighborhoods near the property, trying to strike up conversations with residents and members of the Homeowners Association. Some associations are reluctant to meet, Olson Garewal says the next step is to ask residents if the Homing Project is willing to offer refreshments and host information meetings for their neighbors on the street. He said that

They achieved some success through public meetings. Only three neighbors attended a rally at the El Pueblo Center in July, all complaining about the opening of a “homeless shelter” in the area.

However, by the end of the hour-long meeting, two of the three agreed with the plan and offered to volunteer with the group.

One woman told organizers, “If it’s a place that helps people recover, I support it.”

In September, more than 20 people gathered at the Las Palmas event on the south side for presentations and meetings about the project. A handful of volunteers, including board members and Casa Maria Soup Kitchen employees Brian Flagg and Roxy Valenzuela, answered questions.

Olson-Garewal told participants about plans for a small house village about a mile away.

“We’re trying to get people used to the idea of ​​bringing people who were once homeless into the village,” she said, her words translated into Spanish by one of the audience. The state recorded the worst rent increase in the country, with only 25% of those with rental assistance vouchers able to access housing.”

Attendees asked questions about psychiatric and substance use services, and Olson-Garewal was applauded at the end of his presentation. Many attendees lingered long afterward, eating Sonoran hot dogs and chatting with Olson Garewal and other volunteers.

She said she was open to hearing any concerns about the project and working with neighbors to alleviate their concerns.

“When people hear about it, they understand it,” Olson-Garewal said.