JONES CHAPEL, Ala. – With the property graded and staked, Unsheltered International is one step closer to opening its tiny home housing project, “The Village.” The 17-acre plot of land in Jones Chapel has been developed since 2020 into the trappings of a tiny home village to be used as Unsheltered’s newest ministry, a re-entry program centered around the unhoused population of Cullman.
Travis Sharpe, founder of Unsheltered International, shared that while most people initially viewed the concept of The Village as a typical emergency shelter with cots, it is actually a long-term re-entry program designed to give formerly unhoused residents the resources and skills they need to stabilize their lives and become productive members of the community. Residents won’t just be staying for a few nights until they find a couch to crash on; they’ll be expected to spend months of even over a year learning the life skills they need to thrive.
“At the village, we are looking for people who are at a place in their life where they are truly ready to take advantage of the opportunities God is giving them,” said Sharpe, stating that The Village will not be an avenue for emergency shelter. “It will be long-term housing as part of a program that helps prepare our residents for the next stage of their life.”
Sharpe said the program is tailored to emphasize a sense of security and responsibility among the residents and clients of the village. With the help of their caseworkers, clients will be expected to remain sober from drugs and alcohol, attend classes, maintain employment and attend church during their time at The Village. Sharpe said this holistic and well-rounded approach gives clients their best shot at returning to a sense of normalcy and stability after spending time unhoused.
Sharpe said the issue of homelessness isn’t just one he’s passionate about from the sidelines; he believes his nearly three decades of street ministry experience will come in handy in assisting the unhoused in Cullman.
“Having started, and operated, a homeless shelter for many years, I have an understanding of what it takes to provide for housing needs and program needs,” explained Sharpe, saying that many of those years were spent in 13 different states and three different countries; he’s seen a thing or two, and hopes those observations will better serve the clients of The Village.
“I feel I’ve been given a well-rounded view of the various needs and challenges presented to people who are trying to overcome homelessness,” he said.
Sharpe said for the property itself, everything is in place to begin the actual building of the first phase of the complex, which includes a security office, main office and five tiny homes. Grading has been completed, and gravel will come later after sewer lines and water lines have been installed. Electrical infrastructure is also needed before an official opening, but Sharpe said there’s nothing stopping them from working on finishing out the frames of the tiny homes as soon as funding is secured – about $284,144 is needed for the first five homes. As far as how the community can get involved to support the village, Sharpe said the biggest thing the community can do is pray.
“The community can pray for the remaining funds to come in. About $214,000 more is needed for infrastructure development, and about $284,144 is needed for the first five homes,” he said, noting that the cost of the homes can be greatly reduced with donations of materials and labor, many of which Unsheltered is grateful to have already been offered or received.
“We hope the community will support this effort financially, through donations of new construction materials, and of course, volunteer labor when the time comes!” he exclaimed.
To volunteer with Unsheltered International or learn about its other ministries in Cullman, visit www.unsheltered.org.
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