Portland neighborhood backs tiny house village for homeless

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Portland residents are in favor of building a village of tiny houses for homeless women.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports (https://is.gd/5BQmtM ) that the Kenton neighborhood in North Portland voted 178 to 75 in favor of the collection of 14 houses, marking the first round of approval for the project. The community would be comprised of a number of 8-by-12 feet sleeping pods with storage space.

The pilot program would form a community with shared restrooms, common space and a garden. Mayor Ted Wheeler is promoting the housing community as a better alternative to tent villages or people sleeping on the street.

Supporters of the program say it would function like a homeless shelter, with outreach workers and social service agencies visiting the community to help residents find access to health care, financial services and eventually, permanent housing.