City Committee Divided on Creation of Tiny Home Villages for Homeless

Members of the Economic Development and Technology (Edtech) committee are divided on the creation of tiny villages to address homelessness in Pasadena – an idea that has gained strong support from some members of the community.

Tiny village projects use detached one- or two-bed dwellings of less than 100 square floor area. The units typically consist a sleeping area, have air conditioning and heating, and electrical outlet. Laundry facilities, an outdoor eating area, restrooms and showers are onsite. Outdoor security is also usually provided, according to the Department of Housing’s report. 

Currently there are five tiny village projects that are in operation in Los Angeles County, according to a City document. They are located in North Hollywood, Baldwin Park, Highland Park, Eagle Rock and Montebello. The average length of stay at a tiny village is three to 12 months. 

The City Clerk’s Office received a total of 23 letters supporting the creation of tiny home villages in Pasadena to address homelessness ahead of Tuesday’s meeting.. 

Councilmember Jessica Rivas said the city should consider tiny homes for interim housing until a more “ideal” solution can be reached. She said she believes converting motels into homeless housing is a “better” option than having temporary structures. 

Housing Director William Huang also said he prefers converting motels to homeless housing rather than building tiny villages.

“If we could find a motel, a willing seller and the right motel and the right location, I think that would be preferred,” Huang said. “Especially because the state is making funding available for that acquisition and use.” 

Huang was referring to Project Homekey, a program by the state of California that provides local government agencies with funds to purchase and rehabilitate housing – including hotels, motels, vacant apartment buildings and other properties – and convert them into permanent, long-term housing for the homeless. 

“We had an application in for the first round but because of negotiations with the property owner we had to pull it, and so it never got scored and there were no applications for the second round. For the third round, the date has yet to be announced, but we are again working with brokers to work with motels to see if any are available,” Huang said. 

“There are efforts to try to tie up with a motel and get it into the next round of funding for the state but that might be several months and there’s no guarantee that there will be success –  that we will find a motel owner willing to sell their property,” he added. 

Vice-Mayor Andy Wilson agreed that motel conversion is preferable but he also said given the size of the unhoused community in Pasadena all options, including the creation of tiny villages, must be considered. 

“I think it’s worth pursuing.” Wilson remarked.

Wilson further asked the Department of Housing and community members to look for a possible pilot location for a tiny village. 

“I’m uneasy about this. I feel like it’s a bit of a band-aid solution,” said Councilmember Steve Madison. “I prefer to see us work for a more substantial solution.” 

“I’m not 100% sure tiny homes are the perfect thing for Pasadena,” said Councilmember Tyron Hampton.

In March, the City’s Office of Economic Development provided information about City-owned vacant lots in Pasadena in response to Councilmembers’ request for information on properties that could potentially be used for a tiny shelter community for homeless people.

Currently there are 12 vacant City-owned properties in Pasadena. The sizes of the properties range from 0.1 acres to 1.15 acres.

At that meeting, one community member called on the city to use some vacant property for a tiny village. 

Over 500 residents of Pasadena are experiencing homelessness as of January 2022.