Project Tiny Hope

Affordable Housing at 21 Kains Street

Our newest rental units are inclusive to diverse populations from all walks of life through mix a of one, two and three bedroom units accommodating adults, youth and families. Each tiny home is equipped with:

• full kitchen
• bathroom
• laundry facilities
• private bedroom(s)
• living room

Our Doug Tarry designed homes are built to net zero ready standard providing a far more energy efficient and healthier space to live.

A YWCA Program House will be central to the property providing shared experiences between our residents with gathering spaces, meeting rooms and a collective learning kitchen accessible to all who live here.

Services and Supports

Our residents who require case management will be supported by their existing support services in the community and introduced to our Community Housing Stability Staff.

We offer support with:

• goal focused case management and community referrals
• system navigation
• group based and one-on-one life skill development
• community building events
• opportunities to participate in group-based programming such as financial literacy, food security and skills training

Interested in Applying?

There is no application process. For those interested, please ensure there is an active updated application to the St. Thomas-Elgin Centralized Housing Waitlist and that you are connected to local community services for assistance. Those in need of supportive, affordable housing will be considered a priority through existing housing waitlists.

Please note, donations of $1,000 or higher will be recognized on our website and social media unless otherwise notified. Online donations accepted up to $999 through our Square Online Payment System. For donations greater than this amount, you may provide e-transfer to finance@ywcaste.ca, donate by cheque to ‘YWCA St.Thomas-Elgin’ or in person at our main office. Please indicate if you donation is for Project Tiny Hope or our Adopt a Home Campaign. 

Be a Part of Our Journey

Our goal goes beyond providing a roof over the heads of women, youth, and women-led families. We aim to transform their house into a home – a space where they can thrive with dignity.

To achieve this, we are accepting donations toward our Program House as well as our Furnishing the Future – Adopt a Home Campaign, which will allow us to purchase the essential furniture and appliances needed to make each of our 40 units a comfortable, welcoming place to live.

You can help make a house a home – Donate Today!

Furnish a 1-bedroom at $5,000, a 2-bedroom at $6,000 and a 3-bedroom at $7,000. To ask about our multi-year pledge opportunity contact our Fund Development Coordinator Sarah at slounsbury@ywcaste.ca. 

Donations accepted by

Phone (519) 631-9800
E-transfer to finance@ywcaste.ca (please indentify ‘adopt a home’)
Cheque (payable to YWCA St.Thomas-Elgin)
In Person Mon-Fri 9am-12pm / 1pm-4:30pm

Thank you to our Adopt a Home Donors

Anne-Marie Nicli
Arlene & Terry Campbell Charitable Foundation
C & J Wright Family Fund within the London Community Foundation
Donna Kerrigan
Friends of the YWCA
Glynis & David Ramsay
Helen & Gerald Phillips (BPLM Limited)
Julia Kolb
Katherine Nicli
Lioness Club of Port Stanley
Liz & David Currie
Royal Canadian Legion St.Thomas – Branch 41
Sine Herold
Stirling Chapter IODE
The Kettle Creek Swans

We are truly honored to recognize our Circle of Hope Leaders—visionary individuals and organizations who have contributed $10,000 or more to Project Tiny Hope. Your generosity makes you true champions in our community, and your support creates lasting, tangible change!  An investment in affordable housing is an investment in the future of St. Thomas, providing stability, hope, and opportunity for generations to come. Thank you for being an integral part of this vital mission. 

Project Donors & Pledges

$3 Million

$1+ Million

$500,000

Government of Canada’s Reaching Home: Rural and Remote Homelessness Program within United Way Simcoe Muskoka

Tarry Hope Foundation

The McLorn Family Estate

$250,000 – $499,999

$150,000 – $249,999

$100,000 – $149,999

$50,000 – $99,999

Landscape Installation Partners: Baseline Nurseries/Peeters Landscaping, Beamish Landscape Services, Canadale Nurseries Ltd, Kettle Creek Landscaping, Second Nature Landscape Design & Sparta Tree

$10,000 – $49,999

Brynne Spence-Coleman: Daphne Spence Memorial Run & Volleyball Tournament
Cindy and Dave Reid
Diana House
Don and Hazel Williams Charitable Foundation
Donna Kerrigan and in memory of Beatrix Horn
Estate of Donna Vera Bushell within the Elgin-St.Thomas Community Foundation
Estate of Shirley Broadbent
Grace and Gerald Schipper
Joan and Matthew Janes
Julia Kolb and Kirk Maltby
Laurie and Charlie Nagge
Louise and Jack Ferriman
Lynn Disbrowe – in memory of George and Peter Disbrowe
Sine Herold
St.Thomas Anglican Church and in memory of George and Cela Sloan
St.Thomas Rotary Club

$1,000 – $9,999

Project Tiny Hope Capital Campaign Committee Members:
Bryan White, Andrew Gunn, Laurie Intven, Andrea Hayes, Marla Champion, Sarah Lounsbury and Lindsay Rice