Work underway on 20 new ‘tiny homes’ for Isla Vista homeless

ISLA VISTA, Calif. - Beginning next week, members of the homeless community living in tents in Isla Vista will be welcomed into 'tiny homes' as part of a special transitional program in Santa Barbara County.

The buildings were built this week at the Isla Vista Community Center parking lot. By Tuesday, they'll be occupied.

The Good Samaritan Shelter operators who have had success with homeless programs in Santa Maria will be running the homes.

Eligible members of the homeless population will be allowed to stay there for six months.

Services will be provided and the goal is to move the occupants into permanent housing, likely supported by government programs.

The small homes are provided by the Pallet Shelter company. They have pallet homes in Redondo Beach and Riverside now as part of a similar program.

Each one is an 8 foot by 8 foot structure and costs $4900 each.

The funding comes from the CARES Act emergency budget during the COVID-19 crisis.

This comes as the homeless population grows in Isla Vista with numerous tents now set up in different parks, along with many personal belongings, bikes, barbecues and furniture.

Recently the Santa Barbara County Fire Department inspected the sites and determined them to be at-risk for fires.

The Pallet homes will remain up until at least May of 2021.