It’s countdown to move-in day for a group of residents who will call Project Tiny Hope their new home.
On Oct. 1, 16 residents will move into the new community at 21 Kains St., a co-operative effort with the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin, Doug Tarry Homes and Sanctuary Homes.
The final preparations for the first group of tiny homes began last week with the placement of furniture, donated through the Furnishing the Future – Adopt a Home Campaign.
Melissa Kempf with the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin explains the campaign allows for the purchase of essential furniture and appliances needed to make each of the 40 units a comfortable, welcoming place to live.
Lindsay Rice, Executive Director of the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin notes the initial move in of residents, “Is an exciting moment where we can truly see our vision from seven years ago come to fruition, as we know very soon, we will have our first phase of residents living, growing and creating the community we always dreamed of.”
And on Wednesday of this week, a ‘planting bee’ was held where a group of trees were planted by volunteers from several local landscaping firms, under the direction of Tom Intven of Canadale Nurseries, who provided the trees.
Intven adds the buy-in from the landscaping companies was overwhelming as the former brownfield site is transformed into a green oasis.
As for the trees, they are a variety of native species, as Intven explains.
Move-in day for the first group of residents is Oct. 1 and Rice stresses, “Being able to watch our residents turn the key to the next step of their journey is incredibly rewarding. Living independently with dignity in supportive housing will empower them to lead fulfilling lives while receiving the care they need.”
Written by Ian McCallum
