NEW HAVEN, Conn. — It’s been three months since a local nonprofit started the only initiative of its kind in this state…building six tiny homes in a backyard on Rosette Street to house the homeless. The problem is, that those homes are not up to code. Now, they’re working to change that before the bitter winter temps, bite.
For now, the residents of The Rosette Neighborhood Village are doing whatever they can to stay warm
“Water bottles, warm water bottles. Lots of blankets, you know, thermal,” said Jacob Miller, a Volunteer for the Rosette Neighborhood Village Collective.
As of now, the village is on standby with the City of New Haven and the state as they work to get the proper permits to get lights and heat in each structure.
“There was essentially no zoning or building code framework for these units to fit into, therefore we were kind of in this standstill with the city,” Miller said.
It’s been a battle since the beginning when the structures were built back in October. Since then, the village has received notices to take them down. However, after working with state building officials, New Haven leaders are trying to make something work.
“Right now, we have 12 people living in somebody’s backyard and it’s going to be cold, and you’re trying to figure it out. And I don’t think it’s something you should just put in the bottom of the pile,” said Bob Dillon, who works for New Haven’s Office of Building Inspection and Enforcement.
Dillon started the process by issuing the neighborhood an electrical permit. Now, it’s up to the residents to create a site plan and get approval from the state and New Haven’s Board of Zoning Appeals.
“We couldn’t plug them in before. They’re not a three-story building, they’re not a high rise, they’re not a single-family house, so there’s something called an alternative compliance method,” Dillon said.
The problem is, that it takes time to cut through the red tape. And those who live in the neighborhood are running out of time, with the temperature dropping.
“These things don’t move quickly, they’re not designed for the emergency situation that this represents,” Miller said.
Still, Miller said it’s a step in the right direction for them, as they work to bring attention to the housing crisis these folks are up against.
“You’re fighting for scarce resources when you’re living on the street. and what this does, is it brings people back into a community and helps them understand what that means and what that looks like again,” Miller said. “At the end of the day, what we’re doing here is essentially providing a free social service. So, there’s no reason why the city, the state, anyone, should do anything other than try to figure out a way to make this work.”
When it comes to all the approvals, the timeline remains unclear, but both parties are working as fast as they can to get the lights on.
On Saturday, volunteers plan to head to Rosette Street to dig the trench the electrical system will go through. City leaders said the electricity will not be turned on, however, until the approvals from the city and the state are finalized.
Julia LeBlanc is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jleblanc@fox61.com Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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