Inside tiny home village where rent and food are free but there’s a catch

A TINY home village is available at no cost – but requirements must be met.

Seattle has partnered with Washington State nonprofit organization Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI).

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Each year, the city spends $160,000 to provide water, garbage, and counseling services.

Plus, former Seattle Mayor Ed Murray declared a homeless state of energy and got the City Council in 2016 to invest $7.3million to address the issue.

This has helped fund Othello Village, a tiny house community that provides shelter to low-income and homeless residents.

It has a total of 30 tiny homes and can support the shelter of up to 65 people, according to the LIHI.

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It's unclear how long residents are allowed to stay in the village – but LIHI aims to give people in need any opportunity to find long-term shelter.

For example, one former homeless veteran lived in Othello Village for roughly eight months and now uses 30 percent of his income to support himself at a permanent place in downtown Seattle, according to the LIHI.

HOW ELIGIBILITY WORKS

While rent is free, there are some requirements that must be met.

For example, no sex offenders are allowed.

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Also, weapons and violence are prohibited.

If interested in residing at Othello Village, you'll need to get a referral from an organization by calling 211, the nonprofit told The U.S. Sun.

Some services and perks that come with Othello Village include basic food, education, help with benefits, transportation, and employment search.

For more information about the Othello Village, you can call 206-507-1342.

MORE TINY HOME OPTIONS

But Othello Village isn't the only community out there for residents in need.

The LIHI helps run the following villages in Washington:

• Northlake Village
• Tiny House Village
• Georgetown Village
• Camp Second Chance
• Interbay Village
• Whittier Heights Village
• True Hope Village
• Lake Union Village
• Plum Street Village

Outside of Washington, California is also providing shelter to homeless residents with no rent required.

The Branford Village Tiny Homes in Sun Valley has been open since February.

Inside, each home is small, with just enough room for two single beds. 

There’s a communal bathroom as well as on-site laundry facilities, and three meals a day.

In addition, social events including game and movie nights are available.

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For more related stories, Lowe's is selling a $2,600 tiny home that's pre-cut.

And check out a tiny home community with two-story options that can be tested out for just $150