A dream of affordable housing came true in Eugene Friday. Emerald Village, a tiny house community, held an open house. Some new residents received their keys.
People gathered around as Dan Bryant with SquareOne Villages handed out keys to the small abodes.
Bryant: “Here’s the key!”
Gentry: “Thank you very very much.”
Alice Gentry says she found herself homeless at age 64.
“I didn’t think I would ever have a solid building again. I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life either in my car or in a tent in the woods, cause I’ve done both.”
Gentry been in transitional housing at Opportunity Village. On affixed income, she says she’s grateful to have a forever home.
“I can’t even begin to describe the joy I’m feeling and the, I’m still like, Is it real? I’ll know it’s real the first night I sleep in it!”
Gentry’s 180-square foot house includes a kitchenette, sleeping space and a bathroom. Emerald Village’s 22 tiny houses were built with volunteer labor from local architects, builders and future tenants. Rent is between $250 and $350.