The Lack of Affordable Housing in Central Florida is Causing Many Vulnerable Single Parent Families, Senior Citizens and Veterans to Face Immanent Homelessness
Stable, Affordable Housing Helps People Overcome Housing Insecurity
We have a vision and are on a faith led mission to use our Volusia/Flagler area nonprofit leadership and homeless advocacy experience to establish a Volusia – Seminole County Tiny Home Village. This will provide truly affordable housing rentals to people in our Daytona Beach area community.
There are few realistic alternative housing options for many very low income veterans and elderly people facing homelessness. Government Affordable Housing programs do not fill this gap, take years to establish, face NIMBY objections and are not affordable for many people.
Our Nonprofit Business Model
We are primarily funded by donors, faith partners, foundations. Additionally, revenue will be generated onsite by residents through rents and micro businesses. We will not pursue most government grant funding. Because it often restricts innovative programs like ours. What we do need from government are fast tracked zoning approvals and consideration for donated land and infrastructure.
Life in the Tiny Home Village
Our residents will live a simple but dignified life, pay an income based rent of between $300 and $450 monthly. Moreover, onsite work, guidance, healthcare and worship is planned as well as recreational and social activates.
A Florida Nonprofit Corp & IRS Designated 501c3 Charity
We are working to fund and build a permanent alternative housing tiny home village in our Daytona Beach – Flagler/Volusia County area. Operations will be similar to Community First Village, which we visited in Austin, Texas. Because our area population is only about 20% of Austin, our project has a smaller scope.
We plan to either acquire acreage away from densely populated residential areas or develop an urban infill location. This Tiny Home development is targeting 20 to 30 units at start up and growing to a maximum of 120 units.
You can help by donating, serving on a committee, or simply advocating for our cause. Please, join our mission to provide a dignified, affordable and realistic long term housing solution to low income veterans, seniors and income restricted people. We can prevent their homelessness and provide a safe, comfortable quality of life in our great Daytona Beach community!
Why a Tiny Home Village?
The current need for affordable housing is at a breaking point. Rental housing prices are increasing dramatically. The number of people who live without permanent, sustainable housing is increasing. Simultaneously, the ability to provide adequate housing options is falling. Studies show it is less costly to a community and offers residents a much better quality of life to provide affordable housing than to keep shuffling them through government programs. Traditionally, tax dollars & government bear the brunt of the burden for solving the housing crisis. But despite their best efforts, have come up far short of a working solution.
A Private Nonprofit Affordable Housing Solution
Tiny House Villages are by far the most affordable, immediate, and sustainable model of housing for several reasons: The average basic tiny house costs only around $15,000-$60,000 depending on size and location. Rent based villages are a bargain at $300-$450 per month based on income.
Tiny homes require a minimal amount of land and can be scaled to fit into a variety of spaces. The low buy-in cost and individual nature of these units allows for individual, business, community and church partnerships.
Across the USA, there are dozens of low income affordable housing developments using the village model or cluster homes with a variety of compact residential dwellings around shared community spaces and resources. These cluster village or pocket community models provide significant economic, environmental, and social benefits compared to traditional apartments or single-family houses.
Tiny Home Villages Create a Sense of Community and Serenity
These compact communities combine the privacy and autonomy of a single-family house. Also, providing the greater density and economy associated with an apartment building. However, it replaces hallways and elevators with meandering pathways and common areas. The space between houses creates a medium for casual social interactions, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging among neighbors. Building small footprint homes also reduces material and energy demand during construction, and offers lower maintenance and utility bills for low income veteran and senior residents.
Permanent Affordable Housing Increases Residents Quality of Life
Many veterans, seniors and people with restricted earning ability or fixed income live in their car. Others in group homes, the porch, couch or spare room of a friend or relative. Some stay in shelters, motels, and have no place to call home. Often moving from one temporary housing solution or program to another. Living in constant fear of being displaced.
Without their own door to lock at night, everything they own must go with them. They often have few possessions and live out of a box or suitcase. Without a community that listens, cares, and encourages, many veterans and seniors isolate themselves. A tiny home village creates a solution to these problems, providing a sense of place, safety and community for its residents.
Tiny Homes as Affordable Housing in Volusia County
Please check out this short video from Community First Village. See one example that we are using as we develop our model for a Tiny Home Village here in our own Volusia County community.
The Leadership Team
Director & President – Chuck Munk
Chuck and his wife, Nancy, are the owners of Central Florida Property Investors. Along with being a licensed Realtor, Chuck brings a variety of experience to our board.
Chuck has been a youth pastor, church planter, an educator, foster-parent and owner of Half Off Books in Orange City. Chuck has been married to Nancy for 36 years. He has 4 adult children and 4 grandchildren. His passion for those experiencing homelessness comes from his personal faith in Jesus Christ and his experiences while growing up.
He states, “There were times when I was growing up when we lived in a tent for an entire summer. As a child I thought this was just camping, but later realized that we were too poor to afford housing.” He further states, “In my current role, I see housing becoming less and less affordable, especially for those who are elderly and living on just Social Security. We are a prosperous nation, and we can solve this problem.”