Austin's Tiny House Village Offers Homeless Residents Community and Dignity

The Community First! Village uses microhomes to help people transition out of chronic homelessness, with a focus on fostering a sense of belonging.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Since 2015, Austin has been home to the Community First! Village, an innovative experiment in ending homelessness that uses microhomes to provide housing and community for people transitioning out of chronic homelessness. The project, led by the nonprofit Mobile Loaves & Fishes, takes a unique approach focused on empathy, respect, and creating a true sense of home and belonging for its residents.

Why it matters

The Community First! Village represents a shift away from the more common dormitory-style homeless shelters, instead creating a neighborhood-like environment that allows residents to form bonds and relationships. This approach aims to address the root causes of homelessness, such as the loss of family connections, and empower residents to fully reintegrate into society.

The details

The village features 200-400 square foot tiny homes designed with input from residents to meet their needs, including features like pet-friendly spaces. The latest expansion includes homes designed by local architecture firm Mark Odom Studio, which offers both "extrovert" homes with more communal porch space and "introvert" homes with higher windows for privacy. The goal is to create a sense of belonging and community, not just provide basic shelter.

  • The Community First! Village opened in 2015.
  • The latest expansion of the village was completed in 2021.

The players

Mobile Loaves & Fishes

The nonprofit organization that founded and drives the Community First! Village project, taking a unique approach focused on empathy, respect, and creating a sense of community for homeless residents.

Mark Odom Studio

The Austin-based architecture firm that designed the latest expansion of homes in the Community First! Village, incorporating features to foster both community interaction and individual privacy for residents.

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What they’re saying

“We believe the number one cause for homelessness is a catastrophic loss of family. It's the loss of those familial relationships that cause many of our friends to experience chronic homelessness. Through the built environment, not just housing, we're able to start the process of creating a village that's a true home for our neighbors. This means creating spaces for neighbors to engage and build relationships amongst each other, staff and volunteers.”

— Annie Powers, Assistant Communications Manager, Mobile Loaves & Fishes (texassignal.com)

“Listen and empower the people who are experiencing chronic homelessness, make them feel that it is their community. Shelter should bring a feeling of safety while giving them the freedom to alter the shelter as it fits their personality and lifestyle.”

— Mark Odom (texassignal.com)

What’s next

Mobile Loaves & Fishes plans to continue expanding the Community First! Village in the coming years, with the goal of providing housing and community for even more formerly homeless individuals in Austin.

The takeaway

The Community First! Village demonstrates how a focus on empathy, respect, and fostering a sense of community can be more effective in addressing homelessness than traditional shelter models. By giving residents a true sense of home and belonging, the project aims to help them successfully reintegrate into society.