“Life isn’t easy when you come from a background of mental health and drug issues, not because you know of better, but because you don’t know anything else.” True words spoken by Timothy Hart, who will soon be moving into the Tiny Cottages of Macon, which were built and will be managed by River Edge Behavioral Health.

The Cottages is a village of ten tiny homes built on Norris Street in East Macon to provide stable living for people who have experienced homelessness and have a mental health or substance use disorder disability. With stable housing, people can lead better lives as they seek wraparound services to assist them in their recovery.

More than $1.7 million in HOME Investment Partnership grant funds from Macon-Bibb County through its Economic & Community Development Department helped make the construction possible. If an individual is interested in the tiny homes and believes they qualify, they can contact the Macon-Bibb Economic Opportunity Council (EOC) at 478-738-3240 to take an assessment.

“We’re thrilled to unveil this beautiful property in East Macon, offering those who are homeless with a disability modest means of affordable housing,” said Chief Executive Officer of River Edge Behavioral Health Cass Hatcher. “We are confident that these tiny cottages will enable residents to build a bright future with supportive services provided by River Edge, and we are thankful to everyone who helped materialize this vision.”

Funding this construction is part of Macon-Bibb County’s efforts to assist people experiencing homelessness, provide mental health support to people who need it, and build more affordable housing. Since 2021, millions of dollars have been allocated to provide safe living spaces at the Brookdale Resource Center, construct affordable housing in various areas, provide free mental health services at community centers and public events, and more.