Tiny homes located 

between NYM, Deer Creek

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Situated along an otherwise quiet stretch of countryside just west of New York Mills and north of Deer Creek are eight tiny homes that represent much more than their rather small footprint on the area. The tiny homes are the beginning of a second chance of life for veterans who have fallen on hard times, and are in need of a place to get back on their feet, after serving their country in the military.

The new tiny homes, along with a common space that will include an office and computers to meet with people, broke ground earlier this summer just south of Highway 10 and near Highway 106. The area where the new tiny homes are being constructed were chosen as it provides a unique blend of quiet solitude in rural Otter Tail County, away from many of the distractions that could dampen efforts to get veterans back on their feet, while also being located close to Highway 10 which will allow veterans easy access to Highway 10 for jobs in Wadena, NY Mills, Perham and beyond. 

“We were shopping around for something that was really rural and has a rural feel to it, but not too far off (from a town),” said Liz Kuoppala of Mahube Otwa. “We were looking along the various highway corridors like Highway 10 and Highway 59.”

The tiny homes are designed to provide short-term housing, ideally for 90 days or less, for veterans who are homeless or struggling with housing stability. The goal is to create an environment where individuals can focus on their goals, access resources and build stability. 

“We serve veterans currently, and other folks who are homeless or have struggles with housing stability. We have a range of housing programs, but when it comes to veterans, sometimes we see people who are just happy to stay in their truck for a little bit and they are in a temporary situation and there are reasons they just need temporary support,” said Kuoppala. “In talking to them, and others, it just seems like having a safe space for some food and rest would help them get back on their feet.”

The veterans tiny home project will be under the direction of Mahube Otwa, which provides housing and other resources across Mahnomen, Hubbard, Becker, Otter Tail and Wadena Counties. Veterans who live in the tiny home village will need to apply to temporarily reside in the unique housing opportunity and will be screened beforehand to ensure the program meets their needs for getting back on their feet. Kuoppala said the village is designed not only for people who recently returned from war or service, but also for veterans who need to get out of their current living situation, perhaps going through family struggles at home or needing a new start from their current situation. 

“We think about 90 days, some people may need it a little less and some a little longer. That is kind of the goal and it usually takes a few days to just kind of land on their feet,” said Kuoppala. “Sometimes something is going on at home and they just need a little break.”

The tiny home village will also include a common space with an office and computers to help veterans meet with local individuals, search for employment if they need and meet with people and organizations to help them get on their feet. Kuoppala said the hope is to provide the necessary support to veterans who are in need of steady income and provide resources necessary so they can be successful with their life after getting a break from the grind of everyday life of a veteran.

Kuoppala said the hope is the rural nature of the tiny home village will provide a calming environment to provide support to people who risked their lives both abroad and at home in the military.

“It feels real peaceful and it is away from the highway far enough so you can’t hear the traffic too much, and it feels rural,” she said. “A lot of us who live in rural areas know the land and sky have a way to grounding us and healing us as well.”

Even before the tiny home veteran village broke ground in late June, neighbors raised a concern with the project over the concerns of veterans living in the facility with untreated mental illnesses and being a danger to themselves and others. Kuoppala said that is not the intent of the village as veterans will be screened before moving in and veterans with severe mental illness will be referred to a different housing option to better serve their needs.

“We don’t think this is going to be the type of housing where people have untreated mental health needs,” she said. 

Construction is expected to wrap up this fall on the tiny home village and applications can be filled out online on the Mahube Otwa website or by contacting any Mahube Otwa office across the region. 

The veterans tiny home village is located at 55569 360th St. in New York Mills.