High School Students Build Tiny Homes For Displaced Flood Victims

In June 2016, West Virginia was hit with a historic amount of flooding, and even now, more than six months later, there are still displaced families struggling to find housing adequate enough to start rebuilding their lives. The plan was hatched to find a way to build tiny houses as temporary homes for those still struggling. The 15 homes reside at the National Guard air base in Charleston. 

The school board decided to fund 12 vocational schools with $20,000 to build the homes, allowing students to learn skills like carpentry, plumbing, and electrical while also helping their community. 

Normally, these skills would be learned through smaller projects, like birdhouses or shelving. 

Going through the schools rather than relying on contractors also meant the project could be completed faster, which is great for the families. 

West Virginia’s chief officer for career and technical education, Kathy D’Antoni, says it "takes normally 4-6 months to build a tiny home, they’ve done it in 9 weeks."

One of the future tenants is a retired nurse named Brenda Rivers, whose home was ruined in the flood. She has spent the last six months in a camper parked on her daughter's property, moving into the family's living room when it gets cold. 

No rentals would allow her to sign a month-to-month lease or bring her dog and cat with her, so she's been unable to find another home while her house is repaired. 

The houses are compact — less than 500 square feet — but are designed for 2–6 people to live comfortably.

A loft provides a sleeping space, while the common area acts as kitchen and living room. Each home has a hot water tank, plumbing, and electricity. 

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