A new strategy to address chronic homelessness in Richmond may soon take shape in the form of a gated tiny home community. As first reported by The Richmonder, the Richmond Planning Commission has voted to support the sale of approximately three acres of city-owned land on Fendall Avenue to Eden Village of Richmond, a nonprofit organization, for $100. The proposed development would house individuals facing long-term homelessness in a village-style community of small, single-unit homes.
Eden Village’s model, which began in Springfield, Missouri, features one-bedroom, one-bathroom homes equipped with furniture, a front porch, and utilities included in the monthly rent of $350. The communities also include a gated entry system and a community center that offers residents on-site access to counseling, medical care, and other support services.
Leading the Richmond effort is Cathy Ritter, a Midlothian resident who became involved with homeless outreach after witnessing the scale of need in the region. Ritter told The Richmonder that her goal is to bring a supportive, permanent housing model to Richmond that addresses not only the lack of shelter but also the ongoing care and stability needed to help residents rebuild their lives.
The project is still in its early stages. Richmond City Council must vote to approve the sale of the land, and Eden Village will be required to obtain a special use permit before construction can begin.
Eden Village of Richmond, established as a nonprofit in 2022, plans to construct a 30–40-unit tiny home community modeled after the original Eden Village in Springfield. The community will feature a gated, fingerprint-entry, pedestrian-only courtyard setting, with a community center housing offices, a laundromat, kitchen, dining area, computer area with Wi-Fi, and a library. Residents will be charged a minimal monthly rent that includes utilities and can stay as long as they abide by community rules.
The plan has drawn attention as a potential new approach to housing in Richmond, particularly at a time when the city continues to explore both short-term and long-term solutions to homelessness. In recent years, efforts have included expanding shelter capacity and exploring the conversion of existing properties into transitional housing.
If approved, the Fendall Avenue development would be the first of its kind in Richmond and part of a broader trend of U.S. cities experimenting with small-scale, community-based housing for vulnerable populations.
City Council is expected to take up the proposed land sale in the coming weeks.
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