It was a big day in the City of Erie and for a local family as Community Shelter Services unveiled their new initiative to help combat homelessness.

This is a temporary tiny home to a way to help families in need.

A family of four will be able to spend the night together in the first of eight tiny homes that are currently being built on West 16th Street.


Diane Lazette, the Executive Director of Community Shelter Services said, "We can actually keep the family together. We turn away families almost nightly. But now, mom, dad, kids, families, they can stay together because they experience homelessness to their next phase."


Each temporary house is furnished with bunk beds and a bathroom, but families have access to dozens of other services with Community Shelter Services. As Lazette explained, "They work with our social workers here on site. They're given four warm meals a day. We can make sure that the kids get on the school bus, which is right right here outside of our door here. We can make sure that they have clean food, they have free service, all the laundry needs that they may have."


The first home was funded by the Kiwanis Club, an organization rooted in children and families. Kathy Szymanski, the Kiwanis Club Secretary said, "Kiwanis is all about working with kids and when we recognize that kids aren't able to spend the night with mom and dad and just spend quality time with mom and dad, we knew we needed to come up with a solution. So Diane and I were brainstorming one day, and here you have it."


While this was the first temporary tiny home that was unveiled, it's not the last. The goal is to have seven more tiny homes funded and built to help other local families in the coming future.


Szymanski said after months of hard work and planning, there's nothing like seeing a family enjoy their new space. As Szymanski said, "It's hard not to cry with happiness and joy. I just. Can you imagine what must be going on in their minds and their kids? And, you know, I just can't help but think, what are they going to be doing tonight? They have their beds, they're going to be reading and the laughter. So, yeah, it's a great day."


The next home will be funded by Erie Insurance and is on its way to Erie.