The Dwellings, Affordable Path to Self-Sufficiency in Tallahassee

HUD's Jacksonville team toured The Dwellings - a Tallahassee-based tiny home community. The visit was guided by Connecting Everyone with Second Chances (CESC) Executive Director Monique Ellsworth. Three housing models allow residents to move into a space that fits their budget and space requirements. Each unit also has smart meters to monitor utility consumption, solar-powered options and other technologies.

A low-barrier, high tech tiny home community focused on assisting residents in their journey toward independence, The Dwellings serves residents of all ages - veterans; seniors; individuals with mobility limitations; single adults and small families - a wide cross section of the Tallahassee community.

The Dwellings is one of several Connecting Everyone with Second Chances, CESC Inc housing resources, including The Kearney Center and Westgate - all with a mission to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring. CESC also offers no-cost dental care to community members who may not receive this care elsewhere. From food and shelter to transitional housing and employment training, residents receive access to resources necessary for continued growth along their path to independence.

Started in June 2017, the campus is expected to complete its 130 homes by the end of 2019. The new community center, completed in May 2019, features an arts center with 9 screen TV wall, a complete woodshop, and even a high-tech, cashless laundry facility. The dining hall serves 2-3 meals/day. Residents also enjoy an outdoor stone firepit and nearby walking trails. In addition, daily Community Center programs include financial planning, wellness, counseling and general community building through organized recreation. It also has an automated hydroponic sustainable green house and cistern system to harvest rainwater and provide method of growing microgreens, leafy greens and other foods used in the dining hall.

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