The Eden Tiny Homes project is asking for community support to kick-start its social enterprise initiative that seeks to provide affordable housing options and training and employment for members of the Eden community.
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“We have reached a tipping point,” Community Training Partnerships’ business development manager Leanne Atkinson said. “We need investment and expertise. Otherwise, the project won’t get up.”
At this critical juncture, key stakeholders hope to move the conversation from words to action.
“This is a collaboration and a shared vision. It is about us all walking together. We need action,” Ms Atkinson said.
The Eden Tiny Homes project is a multifaceted project that seeks to drive social change in the region, but it requires an all-important “cash injection” so it can continue to grow.
“We need a cash injection, or we can’t take it further,” Ms Atkinson said. Initial funding is required to build a display home that can help drive commercial sales.
“We want to use the display home as a marketing tool to start sales,” Ms Atkinson said.
Kick-starting the commercial enterprise will ensure that the project’s social program is also viable. The program seeks to provide social housing for community members who are experiencing difficulties entering a very tough housing market.
Acting CEO of the Eden LALC Les Kosez said that the project is an opportunity for the LALC to make positive contributions to quality housing and meaningful employment.
“It could also provide positive vocational and educational outcomes that suit individual needs, aspirations, and lifestyles,” Mr Kosez said.
Michael Brosnan from the Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast said the the project represents a “unique and holistic approach to homelessness in the area,” and encapsulates the aims of the organisation.
“It will provide a skill base, mentoring system and the possibility of homeownership,” he said. “It encompasses everything we are are trying to do.”
Discussions have continued this week with key stakeholders to consider a way forward. Jarrod Harrison from the Rural and Remote Enterprise (RARE) program at Sydney University was also part of these discussions.
All stakeholders possess their own unique skill sets, but the project requires additional skills that could reside within the local community.
“We don’t hold all the knowledge and skills. We require specific skills that are in demand like legal, architecture and design and engineering skills.
“We are putting a call out for interested community members to provide us with support and guidance,” Ms Atkinson said.
Mr Brosnan added that there is so much skill in retired and semi-retired people in this area “it is staggering”.
The project is also seeking philanthropic funding and has considered crowd-funding. “We do not want to rely on government funding,” Ms Atkinson said.
If you would like to help the Eden Tiny Homes project, you can contact Leanne Atkinson on 0414 417 315.
