The logo of the Cass Community Social Services Tiny Home program in Detroit: Credit: Cass Community Social Services
By Donté Smith
Capital News Service
Tiny homes are gaining attention in the state as a potential solution for housing challenges, offering a creative approach to affordability and community-building.
While often showcased as a minimalist lifestyle choice on platforms like Netflix, where shows such as “Tiny House Nation” highlight their appeal, they’re also being deployed as a tool to address homelessness and housing density.
These compact dwellings, defined by the International Residential Code, are 400 square feet or less in floor space. Although they can be built on foundations, most are built on trailers.
More people are experiencing homelessness as affordable housing has become harder to find.
Homelessness in the state increased by 8% in 2022 compared to 2021, going from 30,113 people to 32,589, according to the latest report from Michigan’s Campaign to End Homelessness.
In Michigan, where state-specific rules for tiny homes are absent, zoning and utility infrastructure often dictate the feasibility of projects.
Matthew Grzybowski, the advancement operations manager for Mel Trotter Ministries, is navigating these complexities through the Hope Village initiative in Grand Rapids.
The project aims to build 16 homes for residents who have completed workforce development programs offered by the organization.
“We hope these homes will create a financially stable living environment and provide opportunities to build financial equity,” Grzybowski said.
“Tiny homes achieve a higher housing density than traditional homes where an apartment complex would not be possible.” he said, adding that the Hope Village project “proves the case” for other tiny home projects in Grand Rapids.
Grzybowski says the homes will be constructed using a panelized building process, which can reduce costs and increase construction efficiency.
However, he noted that zoning permissions remain a challenge, requiring careful planning to manage infrastructure costs related to water and other utilities.
In Detroit, Cass Community Social Services has developed its own Tiny Home community, focused on housing for low-income workers.
Located near the Boston-Edison Historic District, the program offers tenants the opportunity to own their homes after renting for at least seven years.
Meanwhile in Flint, Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties has launched a similar initiative, the Sacred Heart Veteran Village, to combat homelessness among military veterans.
Thomas Haeussler, the development director for Catholic Charities, said the project broke ground in November 2024 with the first phase of construction set to include a Veterans Resource Center and four homes by summer 2025.
“The program will utilize evidence-based practices to assist veterans of all levels of need, regardless of discharge status, to make improvements in their quality of life,” Haeussler said.
Katie Baxter, the president and CEO of Catholic Charities, emphasized the broader vision for the development.
“With our Sacred Heart Veteran Village, we’re not just providing housing. We’re engaging the community in creating a model of healing, stability and independence that can be replicated nationwide for other vulnerable populations,” Baxter said.
The village’s Veterans Resource Center will serve as a hub for support services, and the project plans to continue with a second construction phase, which will add 22 more homes by fall 2026 Haeussler said.