Building Tiny Homes. Building Community.

Sound Foundations NW builds transitional tiny homes as alternatives to tents and encampments for people experiencing homelessness. We are “the first, best solution to homelessness”, making sure that every one of our homeless neighbors has a roof over their head and a lock on their door to keep them warm, safe, and dry while they await permanent housing. Homelessness Is Solvable if you believe it is and have a plan. We do.

GiveBIG 2026 – Our Time is Finally Here

On March 5, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson endorsed the tiny home solution by announcing a bold initiative from the floor of the Hope Factory. “Expanding What Works” quickly grows supportive shelter to reduce homelessness in our city by focusing on scaling solutions that are already in place and working – like tiny homes and villages. On March 31, King Co. Executive Girmay Zahilay also issued his own “Breaking the Cycle” initiative of 500 more shelter units in 500 days. This is what we’ve been advocating for since 2018.

This year’s GiveBIG event couldn’t come at a better time as we strive to meet this crucial moment called up by the two administrations. To help us succeed, two local foundations have issued a challenge to tiny home supporters. Together, they are offering our largest matching fund ever of $50,000 to inspire those who support the tiny home solution to also donate what you can to help bring it to life.

Every dollar raised from now thru Wed, 5/6, up to $50k, will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the foundations! Donate in honor of our 750th home being built on May 7th. Donate to help fulfill the promise of a regional network of tiny home villages we’ve been calling for since 2018. Donate to honor the eight years of hard work and vision of our early volunteers. But whatever the reason, please donate what you’re able so we don’t leave any matching funds unmatched!

WHY TRANSITIONAL TINY HOME VILLAGES WORK*

- Seattle has the fourth largest homeless population* (16,385 – Jan’24) in the United States, behind only New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

- In Greater Seattle, there are now 20 tiny home villages with about 750 tiny homes. See a map of village locations here. Besides food, shelter, and showers, village residents also have access to supportive services like counseling, job placement, education, and substance treatment options. Villagers learn to live in a community again and, most importantly, are offered a warm, safe, and dry place to call home and live with dignity.

- In 2025, among tiny home residents who moved out, over 50% transitioned into housing*, one of the highest rates to permanent housing among all shelter options. And, over 98% of those who transitioned into housing were STILL HOUSED one year later.* Tiny homes and villages help break the cycle of homelessness.

- In 2025, tiny home villages boasted a 90% occupancy rate* making them one of the most requested shelter types.

- More than 6000 of our neighbors experiencing homelessness throughout King and Pierce Counties have transitioned off the streets through the tiny home village program since 2022. This makes our system, “the first, best solution to homelessness.” (former Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell)

- With our nearly all-volunteer building crew, we still build one tiny home for just $4500 worth of materials and we’re finishing roughly 3-4 homes per week.

- These facts show tiny homes to be one of the most desirable, successful, and affordable of all shelter types at moving our homeless neighbors off the streets, out of tents and encampments, and into spaces that are warm, safe, and dry.

For more information, visit our FAQ page.

*data from the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) and the King County Regional Homeless Authority (KCRHA).

GETTING KING COUNTY TO FUNCTIONAL ZERO

How can Seattle, with the fourth largest homeless population in the United States, solve unsheltered homelessness? First of all, you have to believe that you can! Second, you need a plan. HERE IS OUR MOST RECENTLY UPDATED PLAN (Oct, 2024) TO GET KING COUNTY (INCLUDING SEATTLE) TO FUNCTIONAL ZERO. This plan uses the 2024 Point-In-Time Count numbers. The 2026 Count will be released in Spring, 2026 and we will update our plan at that time.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Volunteer to Make a Difference. Contribute to Buy Materials.

Every time you help us drive a nail, bolt down a roof, or paint a wall, you make the difference in someone’s life. We build every day of the week but Friday. Come alone, bring a friend, or bring your company, church, or social group. Every hour you give helps so much.

Click here to volunteer

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Sponsor a Home or Part of a Home. Contribute to Buy Materials.

The median length of stay for a resident in a tiny home is 114 days. That means that up to 3 people per year transition through a tiny home and out to a better life. Our homes are built to last 20 years. Therefore, ONE TINY HOME HAS THE POTENTIAL TO HELP UP TO 60 PEOPLE. Our transitional tiny homes cost $4500. As part of our Plan for Functional Zero, we are relying primarily on private donations and grants. Please be sure to designate your gifts to Sound Foundations NW, they go a long way towards moving everyone off the streets. Any amount that you give changes lives. Thank you!