Our Work

Next Step Development Corporation (NSDC) proposes to eliminate housing insecurity by building supportive housing villages in the tiny house community model. Tiny houses provide stable, affordable long-term housing and are effective emergency shelters. NSDC will provide case management support for substance use disorders and mental health challenges to uphold residents in their new beginning. We will apply principles from the federal Housing First model, which considers housing to be a human right and seeks to provide permanent and secure housing with limited restrictions. Concurrently, NSDC’s case management programs will work with residents to avoid eviction, practicing harm reduction with a focus on incremental positive change.

Tiny houses are dwellings 600 square feet or smaller and are a proven affordable solution for reducing homelessness due to the homes’ smaller footprint, lower construction costs, and decreased environmental impact. NSDC will look to provide housing between 300-350 square feet with bathrooms and kitchens giving our residents the respectful living arrangements they deserve. The tiny house rental market value is lower than that of typical units, leading to a lower per-voucher cost and resulting in savings that could be returned to local governments and accommodate additional vouchers for more families.

NSDC’s villages will have a community building that will house offices for onsite program managers and resident advocates who work to identify appropriate complementary services. The community building will nurture residents’ sense of community by providing a gathering space with programs, training, and fellowship. No matter how unorthodox it may seem to others, the homeless have developed their own communities in tent cities and on street corners. The villages will allow these relationships to continue in an environment that provides safe interaction in the context of community responsibilities and agreements.  The attractive functional design of NSDC’s tiny home villages will blend into their surrounding neighborhoods, maintaining their culture and property value and ensuring the goodwill of neighbors.

Next Step Development Corporation envisions multiple village communities of tiny houses that will alleviate housing insecurity and support residents in their progress toward healthier, more fulfilling lives.