Seattle's first all-female tiny house village opened Tuesday in the Ballard neighborhood.
The Whittier Heights Village is available to single women, same-sex couples, and seniors. Pets are also welcome.
“This village was built by women, for women. And the love that went into it is astounding,” Volunteer Shannon Noel said. “I have two grown daughters, and it’s easy for me to imagine my daughters could be any one of these people moving here.”
There are 15 tiny homes, plus a community space with restrooms, showers, and laundry.
The property is owned by Seattle City Light and is the first new village to open under Mayor Jenny Durkan.
“These women are coming off the street where, for years maybe, they’ve been unsafe and they’ve not been protected and their stuff has been riffled through and they can’t collect anything because it’s not safe,” said Alice Lockridge, co-founder of Women4Women. “Now they’ll be able to shut a door and be safe and really rest.”
The village faces opposition from some neighbors and critics of Durkan's plan to expand shelter space for the homeless.
According to the Low Income Housing Institute, a case manager will assist villagers in Ballard with finding long-term housing, employment, and healthcare. Full-time staff will be on-site 24/7 to keep the village clean, safe, and organized.
An open house for Whittier Heights Village was held Tuesday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at 8030 15th Ave. NW.
