Earlier this month, we volunteered our time, expertise and equipment to help students from the University of Denver construct a tiny house prototype that will, thanks to the Colorado Village Collaborative, serve as a temporary place to live for homeless people that find it difficult to comply with certain shelter requirements.
At the event, our team helped hoist materials for the tiny home during construction as well as lift the entire completed tiny home itself. As new groups of students cycled into the project throughout the day, our team also provided pre-lift, safety, rigging, and hand signal training to each group. We viewed this opportunity to help as a win-win. It allows the DU students in the Burns School of Real Estate & Construction Management to acquire valuable hands-on construction experience while also providing a valuable completed project which will help shelter some of Denver’s homeless population.
The Colorado Village Collaborative was formed by several different groups, including Denver Homeless Out Loud, Interfaith Alliance, Bayaud Enterprises, and several others. They have just received the approval of the necessary permits to build the first temporary village, although the concept itself had already been accepted by the city from its inception.
This first village, known as Beloved Community Village, will be located at 38th and Walnut streets, in the RiNo Art District. A second location, still unnamed, is currently in the planning stages for construction at 2015 Glenarm Place. The first tract of land has been leased from the Urban Land Conservancy, and the second from St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
Each shelter that is built will measure 11.8 feet by 12 feet and has been designed to provide the basic comforts of home. Additionally, the village will also include a communal kitchen, and bathroom and showering facilities for approximately 14 people.
You can read more about the project here:
