Featured In Oshkosh Herald
By Kaitlyn Scoville
Oshkosh Herald
The Oshkosh Kids Foundation (OKF) recently announced the placement of the first dwelling in its Tiny House Village on Packer Avenue between Jackson and Main streets. By this time next year, all 32 houses are expected to be occupied.
The concept of tiny house villages has been around a few decades now, and has just come to Oshkosh through the OKF. While some view the tiny house concept as a way to downsize toward minimalism, others benefit from them as a solace away from homelessness, poverty, abuse and neglect.
According to a report from United for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), Oshkosh has been identified for the past several years among the top cities with the fastest increase in those who experience extreme poverty.
The Oshkosh Area School District averages anywhere from 175 to 220 homeless children each school year, according to the report. OKF co-founder and executive director Julie Dumke said since the organization’s inception, they have helped more than 400 children struggling with homelessness.
Thanks to a donation by Oshkosh native and entrepreneur T.J. Rodgers last fall, the tiny houses have been under construction since April.