On what would have been Father Harry Tompson’s 80th birthday, construction began for the Tiny House Build Project! The Harry Tompson Center is hosting this project, which will result in a highly efficient and compact wooden mobile home for a homeless guest of the Harry Tompson Center. The project is spearheaded by Haiyan Khan, the founder and Project Manager of Never Homeless Again, an organization dedicated to assisting the homeless reintegrate to society by providing safe and stable housing for a few yeas while they try to get back on their feet.

Everyone at the HTC is super excited to be a part of this event! The finished house will be the fourth tiny house built by the organization and the third built in New Orleans. When completed, this little self-sustaining home will include a small shower, a futon sofa that doubles as a bed, a solar system panel to provide basic electrical needs,  a small toilet, internal storage, a few windows, about 25 gallons of rainwater, a replenishing rainwater catchment and more.

Our Executive Director, Vicki Judice, spoke to WGNO about some of the root causes of homelessness.

“Simply, we do not have enough cheap housing for people to rent- And so, even if [someone] has income, they are not able to afford a rental to get off the street.”

WGNO interviewed Haiyan about the project as well.

“It’s about providing a private space, a dignified space, a secure space for the homeless.” Haiyan told WGNO News With a Twist reporter Kenny Lopez about the initiative.

Want to help on other projects?  If you know of  or own private land  for the next tiny house to be built on, or if you have any further questions about the project or how to help, contact either  Haiyan at haiyankhan@gmail.com or Vicki Judice at Vjudice@harrytompsoncenter.org.