In an endeavor to directly tackle the issue of homelessness, Macon has recently rolled out a project that features a cluster of tiny homes purposed for those without stable housing. According to a report by Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Sofi Gratas, ten one-bedroom dwellings have debuted on the east side of the city, with applications already exceeding the units available.
The criteria for prospective tenants is strict, requiring them to fulfill the federal homelessness guidelines as prescribed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Rent is capped at no more than 30% of a tenant's income, which, for 60-year-old Timothy Hart, translates to just over $200 monthly from his social security benefits. Hart shared with GPB that, after "You know, a lot of people don't understand, I was 24 years in prison," and time spent in temporary housing post-incarceration, the significance of having his own space can't be overstated. "I can't wait to put my first breakfast on the table," Hart said, looking forward to preparing his own meal in his new abode.
This initiative comes in light of the pressing housing affordability issue in Macon-Bibb County, where almost half of the renters shell out 30-50% of their salaries on rent and utilities—a statistic underscored by a Harvard University study. In creating opportunities like the Tiny Cottages, Macon is not merely providing a roof over heads but fundamentally aiming to reset the board to offer stable housing as a foundation to rebuild lives.
Importantly, the project doesn't just to desperate to end there. As Erica Parks, housing director for River Edge Behavioral Health, explained, "Once you're here and you don't have services, then obviously we provide those wraparound services." River Edge will function in concert with local shelters and the Macon-Bibb County Economic Opportunity Council to pinpoint appropriate residents for the Tiny Cottages. Parks added that those not meeting the thresholds for homelessness will be steered toward different forms of assistance, perhaps like assisting with rent payments.
The Tiny Cottages, costing roughly $1.7 million, are financed through federal funding managed by the Macon-Bibb Economic Opportunity Council and applied for by River Edge. This housing push also extends westward, where affordable homes for seniors are under construction, with expectations to open early next year.
