Over the summer, HomesNow! Not Later received a permit allowing them to operate a tiny home encampment, Unity Village, in Fairhaven. Since 2017, the nonprofit has worked to improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness by providing safe, temporary housing and necessities such as showers, cooking facilities, and bathrooms. They also help people find employment and access stable long-term housing.
The organization previously operated a tent encampment called Safe Haven in the Sunnyland neighborhood. Jim Peterson, president of HomesNow!, says he always wanted to employ tiny homes over tents, emphasizing how they give residents a better sense of security.
Despite the big move, Peterson says they are all glad to be in a new location, seeing it as an opportunity to educate another community about homelessness and the people who experience it. “We want to show people that not all homeless people are drug addicts, alcoholics… they’re just like everybody else.”
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