Community-led project proposes tiny homes for Kitchener's tent city residents

Building atiny homes neighbourhood for Kitchener's homeless populationhas been a project Jeff Willmer has been working on since "well before" the COVID-19 pandemic, but the novel coronaviruscrisishas provided a new imperative.

"We've sort of had to kick things into high gear and respond more quickly because when the whole community is directed to shelter in place and you don't have a place, that's a problem," he said.

"The sooner we can get the tiny homes or shelters built, the sooner people have a place where they can be."

The idea is tobuild 15 to 20tiny homes or shelters at 41 Ardelt Placeto give homes to some of those homeless people whoare otherwise living in tent cities. It's atemporary place to live and a safe place to practice physical distancing.

"There are problems with tent cities because they are usually trespassing on someone's land, there's no toilets or a place to put your garbage or waste," Willmer said.

Willing host

Willmer said A Better Tent Citywould provide people with the necessities such as bathrooms, showers and a safe place to call homewhile they get back on their feet.

"Our concept of A Better Tent City would be to find land with a willing host and can provide basic facilities ... that would be the beginningof a better tent city."

And that willing host was Ron Doyle, whoowns41 Ardelt Place in Kitchener, an industrial property that houses LOT 42.He has been working closely with Willmer on the A Better Tent City project.

"The idea is to help them get ahead," Doyle said.

"They are all good people with a story. Why wouldn't we want to help out?"

Willmersaid they are now able to start fundraising for the project and hopes to recruit more volunteers soon.