CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council heard a presentation last week about a proposal for a local development of tiny homes, which proponents say are assisting in serving the needs of homeless populations in nine locations across the United States.
The fairly new concept in transitional housing for the homeless was introduced to the council Oct. 22 by Cornerstone Village's Derek Fiedler, a project coordinator for Lake County Tiny Home Village.
He said the idea is to work in partnership to create a self-sustainable community of small, inexpensive dwellings to provide for those in need of transitioning into permanent housing.
Fiedler said the Tiny Home Village is a solution to a lack of affordable housing in the county.
“It's not just a homeless problem. We have a housing crisis,” he said, adding thousands live unhoused and/or far below the medium level of the healthy standard of living.
The project aims to create a self-managed, self-governed community that provides not only shelter, but also resources for gaining a better standard of living, such as access to employment, educational and health assistance.
“We want to offer a hand up, not a hand out,” Fiedler said.
The Lake County Tiny Home Village will be modeled, Fiedler said, after the highly successful and internationally acclaimed, “Opportunity Village” in Eugene, Oregon, which provides a common area that includes computer lab and library.
“It is our goal to help people grow personally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually by offering them shelter, a supportive community and safe place to be,” Fiedler said.
The dwellings are made with low-cost/low-impact, sustainable construction ranging in size from approximately 60 to 100 square feet; they do not have plumbing or electricity hookups. The homes range in price and models from $400 to $1,000 per unit.
Stand-alone, shared common areas would include food preparation, cooking, storage, laundry, showers and bathrooms, and a place for community activities and gatherings.
“So, for a $1,000, you can give a person a safe place to be,” Fiedler said.
The project is supported financially through private donations and local fundraising. Fiedler said grants and other monetary assistance is welcomed but not depended upon.
He said the intent is to build a full-sized village of 30 units, which would cost about $100,000 and require two to five acres of land. A medium sized-village would require a half-acre to two-acre lot.
The village is to be fenced and will accommodate for a building for manning a security guard 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
Once the Tiny Home Village is built, it will be the responsibility of the residents to sustain it, he said.
It will be run by a council – elected by the villagers – whose operations will be overseen by a board of directors comprised of reputable members of the community, such as pastors, advocates and social workers, Fiedler explained.
He said the majority of monthly utility costs will be paid through collection of rent. Residents also will be required invest “sweat equity” in the village as well as contribute their services to outer community at-large.
Potential villagers will have to fill out an application. Fiedler said those who convey a true desire to transition will be accepted.
Upon acceptance, the villager will have a 30-day probation period and must abide by rules and conditions set forth in a signed occupancy agreement, he said.
Fiedler said some basic rules include no violence to yourself or others; no theft; no alcohol, illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia; no persistent disruptive behavior; and everyone must contribute to the operation and maintenance of the village.
Fiedler said the intent is to provide Christ-centered therapy, counseling and transition programs at the THV.
Universal cooperation in the effort is being sought, Fiedler said. Fiscal sponsor of the project is North Coast Opportunities, which is attending to all donations and finances. Donations are tax-deductible.
Additional partners to date include Pacific Union College, Citizens Caring 4 Clearlake, The Bridge, Lake County Strong, Valley Fire Phoenix Rising and Habitat for Humanity.
Fiedler said Cornerstone Villages is a grassroots organization dedicated to transforming lives and communities through organized tiny home villages.
Working in tandem with Pacific Union College, and other volunteers, the organization is currently finishing three A-frame homes and is on track to completing 30 units by Christmas, according to Fiedler.
Building parties currently take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday at 1950 Parallel Drive in Lakeport.
Fiedler said the organization is currently searching for land and a landowner or municipality willing to donate the property or lease it for $1 per year.
For more information, email inquiries to
Email reporter Denise Rockenstein at
'Tiny Home Village' concept presented to Clearlake city leaders
- Denise Rockenstein
How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
