GREENSBORO — When Patti Ladew, a parishioner of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro, read an article about a proposed Tiny House Community in her local newspaper, she knew instantly she’d found a way for the entire parish to help end homelessness in her city.
The non-profit organization Tiny Houses of Greensboro develops “tiny house” communities throughout North Carolina. Their first approved community in Greensboro would consist of five 288-square-foot tiny houses and one 180-square-foot tiny house. Each house features a bedroom, full bath, living area, and kitchen with full-sized appliances. The first two tiny houses were already funded by volunteers. THG has since been looking for partner organizations to raise money and build the remaining three homes.
Ladew took the article to her pastor, Father Joseph Mack, and received his permission to hold a meeting to determine if there was enough parish-wide interest. More than 20 people showed up for the first meeting. When they met with Scott Jones, THG’s executive board chair, he laid out the “nuts and bolts” of what the parish would need to do.
“He said it would take about $20,000 to build a home on a permanent foundation,” Ladew said.
Ladew and her group got the go-ahead from Father Mack, then sought guidance from Diocese of Charlotte leaders. Their contacts at the diocese could not have been more helpful, Ladew said.
“We started talking about the project (to the parish) before Christmas, but our real kickoff began in February. We got organized and had our presentation table after Mass and we raised about $10,000 in the first couple of weeks.”
Father Mack talked about it to parishioners, encouraging people to consider supporting the project as a way to help alleviate homelessness in their community.
Ladew said her group had received a “challenge grant” of $5,000 if they could raise the remaining $15,000 by the end of February.
“People opened their wallets like it all depended on them to get us to $15,000,” Ladew noted. “People were so incredibly generous that we didn’t need the challenge grant!”
“In fact”, she added, “we raised more than $20,000, so if we want the house to have solar electricity and the city approves it, we could even do that, or we could furnish the tiny house.
“We have just been so blessed by this congregation.”
The final report of contributions was $28,388. Teams of parishioners will build the house on St. Paul Church’s property. The house will then be disassembled, then reassembled and placed on a permanent foundation in the Tiny House community.
The parish’s first workday, to begin rough framing, will be April 14. Prior to the 9 a.m. start, the workers and the project will receive a blessing.
Eric Brown is the volunteer coordinator for St. Paul’s work team and liaison with the contractor for Tiny Houses of Greensboro. John Dahlingus and Glen Martin are the volunteer work crew captains.
— Annette K. Tenny, correspondent
Find out more
At www.tinyhousesgreensboro.com: Learn more about the work being done by Tiny Houses of Greensboro