On Wednesday, March 11, Tukwila officials cut the ribbon on a new tiny-house village built on church-owned land, turning a corner of a south King County congregation into a tightly managed shelter campus. Operated by the Low Income Housing Institute in partnership with Church By the Side of the Road, the site is designed to offer short-term shelter and wraparound services while residents work toward permanent housing.
Organizers held a 1:30 p.m. grand opening at 14820 Military Road S, where the village now holds 40 tiny houses clustered around shared facilities: a community kitchen, a hygiene trailer with showers and restrooms, a laundry room, recreation space, three staff offices and a security pavilion. The village will be staffed around the clock, and residents agree to a code of conduct and to participate in comprehensive case management, according to details reported by 425 Magazine.
How the village will be run
The Low Income Housing Institute says the Tukwila site will be staffed 24/7, with on-site case managers helping residents line up employment, access benefits and secure permanent housing. According to the Low Income Housing Institute, LIHI sheltered more than 1,600 people in its tiny-house villages in 2025 and reports that roughly 55% of households who exited those programs moved into housing. The organization, which already runs other tiny-house villages in Tukwila, says this model helps people move more quickly from unsheltered living into stability.
Partners and funding
The village sits on land owned by Church By the Side of the Road and was developed in partnership with the congregation, with funding and support from King County and the City of Tukwila. Tukwila Mayor Thomas McLeod and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay praised the project during the opening event, calling it an important step in expanding shelter options in south King County, according to reporting from Tukwila Blog.
Scale in context
Organizers tie the new village to the broader regional crisis. The January 2024 point-in-time count recorded 16,868 people experiencing homelessness in King County, with 9,810 living unsheltered, figures that officials say highlight why quick-to-build shelter options are needed. Tiny-house villages are one of several strategies local governments and nonprofits are using to add near-immediate shelter capacity while larger affordable housing projects work their way through planning and construction. The point-in-time numbers were reported by 425 Magazine.
Community oversight and how to help
Organizers say a Community Advisory Committee made up of residents, business owners, faith leaders and nearby neighbors will meet monthly to offer feedback and oversight. Public community meetings are planned for this spring so people can ask questions and raise concerns directly. The City of Tukwila has information about upcoming meetings, and the church lists volunteer and donation opportunities for those who want to support the village. Details are posted in the city’s meeting notice on the City of Tukwila website and on Church By the Side of the Road.
The new Church By the Side of the Road Village adds another short-term, service-rich shelter option in south King County and becomes part of LIHI’s growing network of tiny-house communities. Organizers describe the project as a modest but practical way to keep neighbors safer and connected to services while longer-term housing solutions move forward.
