Pictured above: Representatives from National Grid and A Tiny Home For Good are joined by Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, and New York State Senator Rachel May.

National Grid joined A Tiny Home for Good to announce that they will work together to construct four new tiny homes in Syracuse’s Southwest neighborhood. The homes will be built over the next 12 to 18 months and affordably rented to individuals facing homelessness.

National Grid will provide funding for construction of the homes, which A Tiny Home for Good will build and manage. The homes, which will be built on neighboring vacant lots on Rich Street, are being designed by architect Brad Wales’ senior design-build class at the University at Buffalo. Solar panels installed on the homes will provide renewable, clean energy to the residents.

“Partnerships like this are how we end homelessness in Syracuse,” said Andrew Lunetta, executive director for A Tiny Home for Good. “We’re honored and grateful that National Grid has chosen to work with us on these homes.”

“Just as no one should go hungry, no one should be without a roof over their head,” said Alberto Bianchetti, regional director of customer and community engagement at National Grid. “National Grid, through our Project C initiative, is proud to support A Tiny Home for Good and its innovative approach to getting people off the streets and into homes that are safe and affordable.”

Project C is National Grid’s commitment to improve the communities we serve. Investing in the solar-powered tiny homes fulfills multiple pillars of this promise: neighborhood development and community investment, environmental justice and social equity, and clean energy and sustainability.

“National Grid has a long, proud history of giving back to the communities we serve, providing financial support and volunteer leadership to grassroots groups and nonprofit organizations,” Bianchetti said. “Project C is our guiding principle to improve the lives of people in our area and how we personify doing the right thing.”

A Tiny Home for Good and National Grid kicked off their partnership on June 6 with a groundbreaking ceremony at the Rich Street lot. Staff from A Tiny Home for Good, members of the community and more than 60 National Grid employees were on hand to celebrate the partnership and help clear the lot of brush and debris.

Since building its first home in 2016, A Tiny Home for Good has converted vacant lots and renovated derelict homes across the city of Syracuse to provide safe, affordable and dignified housing for men and women experiencing homelessness. Rent is based on the circumstances of each tenant, who receives ongoing support and assistance from A Tiny Home for Good and other organizations to prevent a return to the streets.

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