At the Canadian Institute of Planners conference in Edmonton in July, urban planning Professor at Fanshawe College’s School of Design, William Pol, and CEO of the Homes for Heroes Foundation, Brad Field, delivered a presentation titled Tiny Home Communities: A Response to Vulnerable Populations. Their joint presentation highlighted innovative strategies for addressing homelessness through the concept of home communities for those most in need.

One of the main projects shared at the discussion was Project Tiny Hope, an ambitious initiative in St. Thomas, Ont., in which Pol and his team were deeply involved. The Project Tiny Hope aims to provide vital housing for vulnerable populations, including youths aged 16 to 24, women experiencing homelessness, and young families. It is comprised of 40 tiny houses ranging from 400 to 700 square feet, all designed to be energy-efficient and eco-friendly.

Pol, who has led Fanshawe students in designing aspects of the project, highlighted the importance of combining housing with support.

“Residents can find jobs, advance their education, and address health or mental health issues within this community,” Pol said.

Project Tiny Hope is a collaboration between the St. Thomas YWCA, Doug Tarry Homes, and Sanctuary Homes, representing a new approach to tackling homelessness, integrating housing with the resources needed for long-term stability.

“I had a chance to take that idea to the conference in Edmonton, so that’s our involvement,” Pol added. “It’s a connection to our design program because we do the layout of the houses and how the houses are positioned on the property. We look at connecting the street to the houses and how people will move around the site.”

Pol also discussed Homes for Heroes, a project focusing on war veterans living on the streets. Fanshawe College collaborated with Homes for Heroes to design a community of tiny homes at Parkwood Hospital in London, Ont.

“Parkwood Hospital has extra land. First, we looked at their property to see where we could put a site for homes for heroes. And then we design that site. Again, it’s individual, small, tiny homes for veterans needing a stay. And they get help finding a job.”

Field shared the success of the Homes for Heroes Foundation, a national organization dedicated to supporting homeless veterans.

“I think all generations, but especially the younger generation, must learn to recognize what our veterans from past conflicts and wars around the world have done for us and our freedoms,” Field said. “And so, recognizing that by supporting our country, they come home from their time in the military is of the utmost importance for all of Canada to recognize.”

Since its founding in 2017, the foundation has opened villages in Calgary and Edmonton, with plans for more across Canada.

“With a 70 per cent success rate, we’re seeing real results in helping veterans,” Field explained. “Our goal is to embody them and to create an environment where they can move into civilian life successfully and independently. That means securing their home or apartment, finding a job if they can work, and ultimately becoming successful, independent civilians.”

The partnership between Homes for Heroes and Fanshawe College has been crucial in designing these communities.

“Fanshawe’s involvement in our design efforts has been fantastic,” Field said. “Their work brings a fresh perspective to the challenge of veteran homelessness, and it's a partnership we’re proud of.”

Field emphasized the broader implications of their work, pointing out that the model being developed in London, Ont. could be a guide for other cities across Canada.

“It’s exciting to think that what we’re doing here could be replicated elsewhere,” Field remarked.

Throughout their presentation, Pol and Field underscored the importance of community engagement in the fight against homelessness. They called on municipal planners to lead community-building efforts, establish inclusive land-use policies, and ensure that housing initiatives are effectively integrated into the urban fabric.

With the St. Thomas City Council committing $3 million to Project Tiny Hope and London’s extensive community consultation efforts, the outlook for these innovative housing solutions is promising.