Sometimes the best things come in small packages. That’s certainly what the Director of Tiny Homes For Good, Andrew Lunetta believes as a wall goes up on one of his miniature houses for homeless veterans.
Volunteers have broken ground on two 300 square-foot homes on Rose Avenue in Syracuse.
Lunetta said although tiny homes have become a fad across the country, his homes are not a publicity stunt and are truly cost effective solutions to homelessness in Syracuse.
"I'm not coming at it from pushing tiny homes, I'm coming at it as it really is the best model for housing for those facing homelessness," Lunetta said. "From hours of conversations I've had guys who are homeless, asking what they would really like to see in a home, what they would really love to open their door to, (the answer is) a tiny home, a space that's their own. It's small, it's easy to take care of. It just so happens that we're leading the charge here in Syracuse when around the country, it's young, urban professionals, and people building $100,000 tiny home."
Lunetta’s homes cost around $22,000 a unit. He says the program will be initially geared towards veterans but will be part of a larger initiative to provide the homeless with affordable housing. Part of Lunetta’s volunteer crew includes SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry students taking part in a service project.
ESF volunteer organizer Amelia Hoffman says the experience has been very valuable to students.
"I think that it's a good collaborative mix between skills the students are learning and construction management, or suitability, and how they can use it for good in low income communities, specifically in Syracuse," Hoffman said. "The Southside, on Rose Ave right now, we are in the shadow of the Dome, and this is a very neglected community."
Construction on the first two units will continue on Rose Avenue Thursday and Friday. Lunetta hopes to have them finished by the end of May and wants three more units completed on South Salina Street by the end of the year.
