IKEA donates the first tiny house to support the recovery of homeless seniors

Big problems and small houses.

According to Fast Company, this is the last monthwise from IKEA, which has just completed its first-of-its-kind tiny house designed for people who have experienced homelessness.

In May, the Swedish home goods retailer announced plans to turn around in a new way. Instead of directing donations to a non-profit organization, the company decided to use its expertise to lean into an area that is in dire need of renewal – housing, and more specifically, affordable housing.

San Antonio is one of many American cities that has seen a steady increase in homelessness since the pandemic. In 2023, over 3,100 people were counted as homeless, according to the San Antonio Point-In-Time Council.

RELATED: This Unusual Prefab Folding Home Could Set You Back $35K — And It’s Available on Amazon

IKEA saw an opportunity in San Antonio’s Twin Towne Village, a permanent supportive housing community being built for seniors who have lived in camps, experienced at least one year of homelessness, or have disabilities or suffer from chronic illnesses.

The retailer teamed up with a local architecture firm, WestEast Design Group’s Social Impact Studio, with a lofty goal in mind: to build a sustainable tiny house that promotes healing and reduces the risk of re-traumatization for its residents.

“A person is more than a physical space; it’s where we’re able to find comfort, peace and a sense of belonging,” said Sam Eisenman, Business Partner of Sustainability at IKEA US, in a press release earlier this year.

The company tested the first Tiny House prototype at the IKEA Live Oak location, where residents were able to log in and share their feedback on what they wanted in a home to feel safe and secure.

Employees were also trained on design principles and how to apply them while maintaining a person-centered, empathy-led approach throughout the design process.

“It is essential that we as IKEA do our part to create environments that support healing, reduce the risk of re-traumatization and promote overall well-being for all residents,” said Keena Garcia, IKEA Live Oak Market Manager.

This week, the first IKEA Tiny House model was completed in the Twin Towne Village, and each of its 365 square feet is purpose-designed. The main concept was modeled after symbols from nature where healing and growth occur, such as a chrysalis or a cocoon.

Privacy was important, but so was a sense of spatial awareness. Residents expressed a desire for clear sight lines from every point of the house, so the Tiny House Model was built with tall but narrow windows and multiple layers of curtains and textiles.

The design team also wanted to give residents a sense of control and expression. Many typical living spaces, such as RVs and other small homes, contain built-in furniture that cannot be rearranged. IKEA furniture is light and multifunctional, so users can make the space their own.

Many people who have experienced homelessness are used to using public bathrooms and standing in cramped showers. The designers wanted to give them a place to relax and unwind, so they were sure to save room for a bathtub.

“At IKEA, caring for people and the planet is at the heart of everything we do, and we see an opportunity to build on the work of those who are already leading the way in trauma-informed design and use the approach to build resilient communities and create supportive spaces for many,” added Eisenman.

So far, IKEA has only completed one Tiny House in the housing community, but the company’s vision goes further than Towne Twin Village. IKEA has invested in trauma-informed design pilot projects across the country, including initiatives in Memphis and Washington, DC

The company hopes the first tiny house will spark a conversation about trauma-informed design and encourage stakeholders to address more challenges related to affordable housing crises—so that people don’t just have housing, but a safe, secure haven that supports them in their next phase of life.