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Tiny houses evolve into tiny duplexes A narrow lot at the corner of McAndrews Road and Columbus Avenue is the latest site proposed for Hope Villiage to aid homeless in Medford. Mail Tribune / Denise Baratta Monday Oct 24, 2016 at 4:54 PM Oct 25, 2016 at 2:11 PM Damian Mann Mail Tribune @reporterdm A favorable reaction from Medford City Council last week toward the latest version of a homeless village in Medford has sparked renewed hope among supporters. With $100,000 raised so far, supporters are halfway to their fundraising goal, which would allow them to build tiny houses on a property owned by the city at the northeast corner of Columbus Avenue and McAndrews Road. "In my own personal opinion, I would love to have them there by Christmas," said Heather Everett, program director for Rogue Retreat. The city lot is narrower than a previous lot considered for Hope Village, so Rogue Retreat and the Homeless Task Force have changed their proposal from tiny houses to tiny duplexes. The tiny duplexes would have a shared wall and roof so that more homeless people could be housed on the lot, Everett said. The walls separating the two units would be insulated, she said. City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposal Nov. 17. If approved, Everett said, her organization would pull permits the next day, if possible. A fence, gravel and other site work would need to be done. A builder would build the walls for the tiny houses and place them on a flatbed truck, and then they'd be assembled as a kit on site, Everett said. If all goes well, the tiny duplexes could be built relatively quickly once the builder is given the go-ahead, she said. A previous proposal, which involved building Hope Village at Third and Front streets, was dashed after surrounding businesses opposed the project. Everett said her group is planning to meet Friday with surrounding property owners on McAndrews and Columbus. She said an attempt was made to contact residents recently, but many weren't home. As a result, a letter has been sent to let the residents know about the meeting. Everett said her organization met with City Attorney Lori Cooper to work out language in an operating agreement, which was patterned after a similar agreement for a tiny village in Eugene. If the city approves the lot for a homeless village, Everett said, her organization is in line to receive two grants totaling $100,000 that would bring the project close to its fundraising goal. However, Rogue Retreat is asking for volunteers to help with the fencing and gravel to prepare the site for the village. To volunteer, call Everett at 541-499-0880. Donations can be made at hopevill.org. "We are still encouraging people to go on the website and donate," Everett said. The council will need to hear from neighbors before making a decision on the proposal, Councilor Dick Gordon said. "We'll see if they bring up issues the council hasn't considered," he said. Also, the tiny house supporters will need to get permits and other matters cleared up through the city's planning process if the village concept is approved by the council, he said. After the matter was discussed at a study session last week, Gordon said the council appeared to support the proposal. Councilor Kevin Stine said, "It seems like there is sufficient support among the council to try it." — Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on www.twitter.com/reporterdm.