A Tiny Home for Good is a small organization with a mighty mission; to end homelessness in Syracuse, NY.
a brief history
Prior to founding A Tiny Home for Good, Andrew Lunetta worked as a shelter aid at The Oxford Street Inn (a now defunct men’s shelter) for nearly a decade. During that time, he learned that the permanent housing that was affordable to these men typically meant having a roommate, or maybe a small room with a shared bathroom down the hall–in buildings rife with code violations, vermin infestations, and a concentration of individuals who were suffering from mental health and addiction issues. It became crystal clear why many of them returned to the shelter after a matter of weeks.
Andrew figured there must be a better way.
Through extensive conversation with those facing homelessness and those in the homeless service field, an answer became apparent: an affordable and dignified home, with a landlord invested in the tenants’ success, provided the best chance for many to permanently move from the shelter system. And with that, A Tiny Home for Good was born.
We build quality homes on vacant lots or renovate derelict properties in the city of Syracuse. Each unit is rented to an individual or family who has faced homelessness.
the power of home
A Tiny Home for Good operates under three buckets.
We serve as the developer. With our expertise, we are able to develop properties that best suit the needs of our unique clientele, building in neighborhoods that benefit from our investment. We build scattered site, meaning we don’t have more than a few properties on any given street. This prevents the concentration of poverty, integrates tenants into the community, and gives them access to public transportation and other resources that support independent living.
We operate as the owner/landlord. This allows us to guarantee rent affordability, offer a commitment to maintenance, and ensure the homes remain accessible for those facing homelessness. There is no limit on length of stay. Tenants sign a year-to-year lease. As long as the home continues to work for them and they meet our basic lease requirements, tenants are encouraged to stay. Rent is based on the circumstances of each tenant. Units are fully furnished prior to each move-in.
We provide personalized (long-term) case management. Arguably the most important part of our work is the support we are able to offer our tenants, for as long as they remain in our housing. For many of our tenants, this is the difference maker between remaining housed or returning to homelessness. Our case managers lead with caring and respect for each individual and are motivated to help tenants succeed in their housing and beyond. Regular check-ins remind tenants we are a resource and act as an informal way to gauge how they are doing, often catching issues before they get out of hand.