In the Dotte dispatch: How KCK tiny homes are like winning ‘the lottery’
Editor’s note: The following is from this week’s In the Dotte newsletter, published weekly on Tuesdays. You can sign up here to get them delivered to your inbox.
Good afternoon, Wyandotte County!
KCK has long tried to increase its affordable housing stock and offer wraparound services to reduce the number of people who have to spend their days and nights on the streets.
But numerous families are still experiencing housing insecurity.
That’s why one nonprofit has taken it upon itself to build housing designed to give people a real, dignified opportunity to get back on their feet.
And they’re using tiny houses to get the job done.
I’m Sofi Zeman, your guide through all things KCK. I hope you were safe and dry during last night’s downpour. Let’s get into the news.
Eden Village of Kansas City is trying to tackle Wyandotte County’s housing crisis through the cutest way possible. They’re building neighborhoods that give people access to their own tiny houses, community gardens and comprehensive mental health services.
The village is meant to give people facing chronic homelessness a real shot at maintaining stable housing and building a new life.
Last week, Eden Village broke ground on a second neighborhood in KCK in light of the success the first time around. My colleague Tammy Ljungblad and I had the very sweet opportunity to chat with the minds behind the project, as well as a few residents of Eden Village.
One resident, Cariann Lile, told us that if living on the streets for six years would guarantee her a spot at Eden Village, she’d do it all over again.
“I’m safe and I love the community,” she told The Star. “And we’re all family, and I can work on thriving.”
See into the neighborhoods that are changing lives in Wyandotte County.
Enjoying this newsletter? Share it with a friend. If it was forwarded to you, sign up here.
And, if you have questions about Wyandotte County or a tip about what else I should look into, please email me at szeman@kcstar.com
Sofi’s selects
🛑 A judge has halted Kansas’ ban on gender-affirming care for minors, meaning transgender teens might have a shot at accessing puberty blockers or other care they need. What changed?
🌭 Whether you’re grilling with the family or taking advantage of a few extra minutes to sleep in, Memorial Day is upon us. Check out our list of how the metro is celebrating this year.
What in the UG
☀️ Some of us might see cheaper utility bills down the line. The BPU is launching a community solar project that, should all work out, would put bill credits on low-income residents’ tabs.
Thank you for reading. See ya back here next week!
Looking for more?
- Explore our full newsletter lineup for updates on your favorite topics, including Chiefs news, restaurant happenings and political analysis.
- To see what we’re up to, follow The Star on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, Threads and Bluesky.
- Download the Star app on iOS or Android to get breaking news alerts.
- Have a question you want us to answer? Send us your KCQ.
- Support our local journalists with a subscription.
