Building a tiny home after homelessness

  

A Tiny Home Rooted in Safety, Community, and Second Chances

When Josie welcomes you into her tiny home, it’s immediately clear that this space is about far more than square footage. Every design choice, every plant, and every cozy corner tells the story of someone who intentionally rebuilt her life after experiencing domestic violence and homelessness. 

A Custom Build with a Bold Vision

Set on a little over two acres in the Pacific Northwest, Josie’s tiny home began as a bold idea and a custom collaboration. She worked with Genesis to create a 12-by-14 shell, then convinced them to do something they’d never done before: attach a full greenhouse to the structure. The delivery itself felt monumental—a massive building escorted by pilot cars, carefully placed on pier blocks. Months later, the greenhouse was assembled piece by piece in just six hours, like a life-sized Lego set.

Living Larger Through Light and Nature

The result is a home that feels expansive despite its modest footprint. Inside, the tiny house offers 336 square feet of living space, mirrored by another 336 square feet in the attached greenhouse. Josie considers the greenhouse an extension of her living room—a sun-drenched sanctuary that provides warmth in winter, airflow in summer, and a constant connection to nature. Solar-powered fans automatically vent heat, multiple doors create cross-breezes, and a rescued quince tree grows right in the center, soon to host hundreds of baby praying mantises each spring.

Building Affordably and Intentionally

Financially, the project was just as intentional as the design. The shell cost $23,000, the greenhouse $8,000, and the entire build—including finishes—came in under $60,000 over ten months. By downsizing and moving onto the property where her adult children live in the main house, Josie was able to retire early. Living in a community allows everyone to save money while sharing responsibility, stability, and care.

A Home Designed for Comfort and Longevity

Inside the home, simplicity reigns. Everything is on one level—no ladders, no lofts—designed to support aging comfortably. High ceilings preserve a sense of openness, while rugs, soft textures, and natural light create warmth. The kitchen is compact but functional, the living area intentionally small, and the bathroom features a soaking tub and a biogas toilet that transforms waste into usable gas for cooking. Storage is cleverly tucked under the bed, and a projector replaces a traditional television, allowing technology to disappear when it’s not wanted.

Healing Through Safety and Simplicity

But the heart of this home isn’t just sustainability or smart design—it’s healing. After leaving a long-term marriage due to domestic violence and experiencing homelessness in the past, Josie needed more than shelter. She needed safety. It took months for her nervous system to fully rest, to believe that this place was truly secure. Today, she describes her life as calm, regulated, and peaceful.

Extending Safety Beyond the Tiny Home

That sense of safety now extends beyond her own walls. Josie is creating a network of women who offer safe overnight parking for women living in their vehicles, transforming her property—and others like it—into lifelines of safety, security and dignity. This tiny home, surrounded by gardens, chickens, berries, and community, stands as proof that healing doesn’t have to be grand. Sometimes, it starts small—and grows roots deep enough to change everything.

To learn more about how to get involved with Josie’s network for women needing a safe place to stay please visit Safeparkher.com

Watch Josie’s Full Tour Here: 

• Combo Washer & Dryer: https://amzn.to/3E7RlIR
• Mini Split AC/Heat: https://amzn.to/3E5p9X1
• Portable Induction Cooktop: https://amzn.to/4l61qXz
• Dual Zone Chest Fridge/Freezer: https://amzn.to/4l73gHs
• Compost Toilet w/ Urine Seperation: https://amzn.to/4c7DRcT
• Countertop Water Filtration System: https://amzn.to/3QTyfcu