Efforts to build “tiny” homes in Tucson to alleviate homelessness are gaining momentum, thanks to The Hope Factory.
Location-NW Fire Dept Training Facility
Speaker-David Gamrath
Attendees-Laura Clymer, Don and Kathy Jorgensen, John and Cindy Dooling, Beckie Penman, Harold Burtzloff, Mark Goligoski, Andrea De La Cruz. No virtual attendees
The meeting was called to order at 7:15 due to usual tech difficulties. Following the Pledge of Allegiance President De La Cruz discussed aid on a District level to California fire victims. There will be a collection of items needed to be gathered by 2/6/2025 that will be sent by semi through Casa Grande and on to Yuma before going to California. AS list of needed items can be found on recent Impact newsletter. Our club is specifically interested in donating items like rakes, shovels and work gloves. Laura suggested a monetary donation from the Club Foundation.
Next we discussed CPR training and the fact that high school students can be trained but there is a cost of $3 per student. Our Club will discuss possible financial assistance with member Christine Leonard who works for NS Fire.
Ciny announced a new MVHS applicant for Rotary Exchange Student program. The applicant seems to be highly qualified with a desired goal of India as her exchange country.
While cleaning up our storage cabinet, John found possibly a hundred plus Tour de Cookie Bicycle pins.
Our speaker's focus was on the homeless problem and solutions to same. He has been involved with Seattle's "Tiny Home" project for seven years and is bringing the concept to Tucson. Census of homeless is Tucson indicates there may be well over 2,000 in Pima County.
The homes, built at a factory called The Hope Factory, are about 400 square feet and provide a roof and four walls with heating, air conditioning but not cooking facilities or plumbing. Communal kitchens and lavatory facilities are part of the Tiny Home, called micro homes in Tucson, concept. There are admission criteria and an onsite caseworker. Loew's has been very generous donating tools and material plus significant discounts.Average stay in Seattle is four months and thus far 90% have transitioned to permanent housing.
There have been five Tucson sites designated with the first project to be opened at the former Fire Station #8 located on West King Rd in the Amphitheater School District. While the required zoning code changes have been expedited the Environmental Impact studies have been ongoing for seven months and could take a year and a half! Habitat for Humanity participates with the project as do many service organizations including Rotary. Number crunching specialists, like David, believe Tiny Homes will be the solution to the homeless crisis.
For more information go to www.tucsonhopefactory.org
Donations may be sent to 3661 W Campbell Ave #290 85719.