Tiny Homes Community

In the United States, there is a lack of safe and affordable housing for individuals with mental illness. Consequently, on any given night, approximately 200,000 people with mental illness are homeless (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2011). The absence of stable housing contributes to social isolation and is barrier to occupational participation and community integration. The purpose of this community-based research is to develop an affordable housing option for adults with mental illness that fosters functional independence and community participation. In a collaborative partnership with Habitat for Humanity, UNC’s Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health, and UNC’s School of Social Work, we have designed a 2-phased project to develop a community of Tiny Homes for adults with mental illness. In Phase 1 we will use interviews and focus groups with consumers and stakeholders to (1) test the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention and (2) explore the lived experience of residing in an adapted Tiny Home for adults with mental illness. We will also develop and test an assessment battery to measure outcomes in quality of life, community participation, recovery, and physical and mental health. We will use findings from this phase to inform the development of a community of 5 adapted Tiny Homes in Phase 2. During Phase 2 we will also measure the impact of living in an adapted community of Tiny Homes on consumers’ social participation, sense of belonging, and community integration.