Here is one of the tiny homes on wheels built by the Tiny Pine Foundation/Tiny Homes. Courtesy photo

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Alyssa Hofman, founder and executive director of Tiny Pine Foundation/Tiny Homes for Fire Survivors, based in Oroville, was the guest speaker at the weekly Sept. 19 Gridley Rotary Club meeting.

Before Hofman made her presentation, Gridley High School FFA officers Lina Jackson and Reagan Witt gave an update on the Gridley chapter activities. Sixty exhibitors won awards at the Butte County Fair in both Showmanship and Market Divisions, including Grand Champion Market Hog.

Earlier in August, chapter officers attended the Chapter Officer Leadership Conference (COLC). An Agricultural Showcase was held for new members.

Gridley High ASB officer Ryan Taranto recapped some school events and fundraisers. The kick-off event for the year was the Senior Sunrise at the football field. Fundraising has included raising $1,600 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Raffle tickets were sold at a football game bringing in $600.  

Tiny Pine Foundation/Tiny Homes Executive Director Alyssa Hofman inspires Rotary members with her presentation. Photo by Gridley Rotary. Courtesy photo

On behalf of the Tiny Pine Foundation, Hofman explained how it all started. After losing her home in the Butte Lightning Complex Fire of 2008, Hofman said she was inspired to build tiny homes for fire victims. With no previous building experience, Hofman said, she watched YouTube videos to learn construction skills. The hard work paid off, as she recently became a licensed general contractor while raising seven children.

Tiny Pine Foundation/Tiny Homes is a nonprofit organization, operating almost entirely from donations and volunteer labor. Once the word went out online, the first tiny home was funded in less than 24 hours. In all, there have been 48 tiny homes on wheels and stationary homes built since the project started six years ago. Twelve of those are on permanent foundations.

Volunteers come from around the country to assist in the building process and all are welcome, whether experienced or not.

There is a current waiting list of about 250 to receive a home,. Recipients are given priority on the basis of age, veteran status, disability, where the home will be placed and their present living conditions. Eligible families help build the homes and then receive the homes mortgage-free. There is a one-year residency commitment. The foundation only asks that the residents pay it forward by giving the home back when they are ready to move on. The first tiny home built by the foundation has housed five families.

The smaller-wheeled homes are built on recycled trailer frames. Each has a full bathroom, electric hot water heater, mini-split heating and air conditioning, and is fully furnished. Kitchenware and bedding are also provided.

Fire survivors who have their own land but lack funds to rebuild are candidates for the permanent structures.

FFA officers Lina Jackson and Reagan Witt give updates on FFA activities. Courtesy photo

Permitting for these buildings runs about $3,200 per home, Hofman said.

For more immediate assistance to fire victims, disaster relief drive-thru events are held to distribute food, water, laundry soap and camping supplies. Gridley Rotary assisted with one such event last Saturday in Chico.

A major fundraiser, the Third Annual Gala, will be on Saturday, Nov. 9 at the Oroville Convention Center. This will be a Monte Carlo-style gaming night using faux money with dinner and entertainment. Tickets are $65 per person.

The foundation also operates the Tiny Pine Discount Warehouse, 2742 Feather River Blvd. in Oroville. The store is similar to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. New and used building materials and other household items are offered at substantial savings.

For more information, the store has a Facebook page and the foundation’s website is http://www.tinypinefoundation.