Palm Beach County has announced a new pilot initiative that aims to help individuals recovering from addiction by providing tiny homes as part of ongoing treatment and support. The county commissioners unanimously agreed to use $500,000 from the opioid settlement funds to finance the construction of these small, self-contained houses. This decision comes as the county faces a growing population and an increasing need for innovative solutions in addiction recovery.
The program, spearheaded by Commissioner Maria Sachs, will place four to five tiny homes on property managed by a nonprofit center. Residents will receive round-the-clock support services while they continue their recovery. The homes are designed to meet Miami hurricane standards and are temporary, intended to be used until the residents are ready to live independently.
Commissioner Sachs highlighted the importance of not simply treating someone and then returning them to the streets. She believes continuous care, paired with safe housing, can help those battling addiction. “If you have a little tiny house where you continue treatment, you’re not just sending people back out when the nonprofit closes its doors,” Sachs explained. “Recovery doesn’t stop at set hours; sometimes it’s hardest at night or early in the morning.”…