What’s the status of tiny home projects in Augusta, Aiken areas?
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Richmond and Aiken counties are seeing an increase in homelessness as their “point in time” counts wrap up.
Because of this, Augusta and Aiken leaders are working on bringing tiny homes to help provide resources to those struggling.
The transitional tiny home projects will be the first of its kind for both communities.
Organizers with Bridge Builder Communities in Augusta are a little over a month away from breaking ground on 25 tiny homes for young adults aging out of foster care.
The Aiken County Homeless Housing Coalition says they’re making steady progress with the city to get its 45-home project approved.
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Homelessness continues to be a big issue but community advocates are getting that much closer to bridging the gaps.
Jackson Drumgoole with Bridge Builder Communities says helping to bring solutions is more than just a project.
“I have family that were in orphanages and in foster care right here in Augusta. So, I saw the impact of the homelessness piece, I saw the personal impact of the foster care piece,” said Drumgoole.
Drumgoole says Hurricane Helene and increased site work expenses are a challenge but not too much to stop the mission of bringing security to the region’s at-risk youth.
“It’s preventive. I mean, once you have housing, safe, stable housing, you can function and focus on other things, like education, like your health,” he said.
In Aiken, city leaders are on the second reading of potentially changing a city ordinance to allow transitional tiny homes.
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It’s a step leaders say may play a role in addressing Aiken’s growing homeless population.
George Clare plans to bring 45 of the miniature concepts to full size near vital resources, like the Aiken Center for Alcohol and Drug Services and Emergency Medical Services.
“The Aiken community is very much behind this project. I’ve been ed by lawyers and bankers and engineers and businessmen saying. We need this,” said Clare.
Drumgoole says seeing efforts on both sides of the river is inspiring but it will take every aspect of the community to see the most change.
“You have to tie into everyone in the community to solve the problem, because if one part of our community has a broken leg, then the other limps,” said Drumgoole.
Bridge Builder Communities in Augusta expects to start breaking ground in March with more announcements coming shortly after.
The second reading to allow tiny homes in Aiken will be February 10.
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