Sacred Settlement Open Door
Our future tiny home community is part of a growing effort to use church properties to address the root causes of chronic homelessness. We have partnered with another organization, Settled, and other churches from different denominations to provide more than just housing — we offer a way of life.
COME AND SEE
Over the next two years, in partnership with other churches and community members, we are working on designing and building this community.
There will be twelve tiny homes at Sacred Settlement Open Door. Eight homes are for people who have experienced chronic homelessness. Four homes are for people who haven't experienced homelessness but desire to be an intentional neighbor with everyone in the tiny home community.
There are three stages of the process prior to the Grand Opening; Open Door is currently in the Plan Phase. These three stages, on average, take anywhere from 9 to 27 months. Assuming all the pieces are properly in place, Open Door intends to host a Grand Opening in the Summer of 2026.
THREE-STAGE PLANNING PROCESS
- DISCERN: The Settled team helped discern the question regarding how a Sacred Settlement might enhance the church’s mission. This included educating Open Door leadership on the Full Community Model, building a team, and touring other local Sacred Settlements.
- PLAN: Open Door and Settled are designing an operational framework to implement the five elements of the Full Community Model in our Sacred Settlement. This stage is a combination of employing Settled’s best practices and processes, and customizing it to our church, our neighborhood, and their needs. A key part of this stage is listening to our congregation, city and community and obtaining input so that we can continue to shape our Sacred Settlement, employing our unique strengths and mission. Open Door is currently in this phase.
- BUILD: This stage includes renovating the church land and building the Sacred Settlement. It also includes building and equipping volunteers, and managing the project ensuring that the Sacred Settlement can open.
After the Sacred Settlement is established, the STEWARD stage is an everlasting commitment to deepen relationships for everyone connected to the Sacred Settlement community. We are establishing a permanent community where we hope every person grows deep roots and enduring loyalty to one another and the land they live on. Settled provides guidance, tools, approaches, experience and works side-by-side to support Open Door’s efforts.
FULL COMMUNITY MODEL
Intentional neighbors: People who willingly change their lifestyle to live life alongside formerly homeless neighbors
Permanent homes: Small, simple homes are gathered together to provide safety and help promote community
Cultivated places: The homes are placed on religious land that is carefully adapted to meet the needs of the community
Purposeful work: Everyone in the community shares in the labor and is compensated fairly for their work
Supportive friends: Each person has one or more helpers to navigate services and to be supported with friendships
Questions or Want to Get Involved?
Are you interested in learning more about Sacred Settlement Open Door or have questions? Please complete the form below, and one of our staff will be in touch.