KarunaNews Story

Providing people who are experiencing homelessness with their own space and supportive community are key components to a tiny housing community development in Kitchener, Ontario. According to Daily Commercial News, what started as an idea back in 2019 for A Better Tent City (ABTC), grew into a 42-cabin property with a shared facility for washrooms, laundry and kitchen. Jeff Willmer and the late Ron Doyle, founders of ABTC, began by engaging partners to help with project co-ordination, trenching systems and structural engineering. Volunteers from the local Carpenter's Union provide the housing community with daily and ongoing construction and maintenance support. ABTC has been such a success that other municipalities across Ontario are expressing interest in the concept. Although Willmer understands this is not a solution to the housing crisis, he does believe that offering a place to stay that provides privacy, comfort and community is a good transitional step to long-term affordable housing.