Jamal Love, a resident of a tiny house community in St. Paul, Minnesota, sought help from a neighbor to fix his wife’s bike fender, marking a shift from his usual self-reliance. Love and his wife moved into this six-house settlement, designed for people transitioning from long-term homelessness, with the intent to serve. However, their experience revealed they also needed the community they found there. “We received community, and we were the ones who needed it in the first place,” Love admitted.
The Role of Sacred Settlements in Addressing Homelessness
Sacred Settlement Mosaic is a collaboration between Mosaic Christian Community church and Settled, a nonprofit developing “sacred settlements” to combat homelessness. Churches, with their land and legal protections, play a pivotal role in creating affordable housing. Gabrielle Clowdus, Settled’s founder, highlighted the 2000 Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which limits regulations on church properties, aiding such initiatives.
Legal Challenges and Legislative Successes
Despite legal protections, challenges persist. The Rock church in Colorado is in a legal battle to house people in RVs on its property. In Minnesota, Settled spent three years to pass a law allowing churches to build tiny homes. This urgency is heightened by a Supreme Court ruling permitting cities to criminalize public land camping.
Evaluating Tiny Homes as a Housing Solution
Margot Kushel, from the University of California San Francisco, views tiny homes as better suited for temporary shelter due to size and other limitations. However, she acknowledges churches’ unique ability to provide permanent housing swiftly. Churches nationwide are adopting various approaches, from short-term shelters to more permanent solutions.
Green Street Church: A Model of Stability
For instance, Green Street Church in Nashville offers long-term stays in primitive tiny homes, emphasizing stability over comfort. Residents use shared facilities and must abide by rules prohibiting drugs, alcohol, and drama. The church’s commitment includes personal sacrifices, as noted by Pastor Caleb Pickering.
Personal Sacrifices for Greater Community Good
Love and his wife made significant sacrifices too, moving from their three-bedroom home to their tiny house. They now embody Settled’s model, which includes permanent homes, intentional neighbors, church land, work, and friendship. Residents sign leases, pay rent, and share communal facilities. Valerie Roy, living in another Settled community, has found renewed quality of life and community connections.
Replicating the Model: Potential for Broader Impact
Clowdus envisions Settled as a replicable model for any church with a strong identity and hospitality ethos. Settled’s success with diverse churches underscores its potential. Both the Nazarene and Evangelical Lutheran churches hosting settlements have seen congregation growth. Leaders like Meredith Campbell at Mosaic Christian Community have witnessed increased local interest and engagement, enhancing the church’s outreach.
Deepening Faith and Commitment through Tiny House Living
For residents like Love, this experience has deepened their faith and commitment to practicing their beliefs. The tiny house community has redefined their understanding of Christianity and community support.
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Churches Find a Homelessness Solution in Their Own Backyards
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