First Residents Move Into YWCA's Project Tiny Hope in St. Thomas

First residents moved into tiny homes at 21 Kains Street following a grand opening on Feb. 9, 2026, footage from CTV shows, as YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin’s Project Tiny Hope opened a new miniature neighbourhood in downtown St. Thomas. The YWCA leads the project in partnership with Sanctuary Homes and Doug Tarry Homes Ltd., and developer Doug Tarry appeared in event photos with Executive Director Lindsay Rice.

The homes moving-in residents entered are fully outfitted units with one to three bedrooms, full kitchens, laundry, bathrooms, private bedrooms and living rooms, and full climate control, CBC coverage details. The units are energy efficient and described by project partners as “net-zero ready,” built from prefabricated flat panels off-site and assembled on-site, and explicitly permanent rather than container or mobile shelter units.

Project milestones precede the move-in. Partnership work began in 2019, and in September 2024 Doug Tarry Homes led a three-day “blitz build” where builders and volunteers completed eight tiny homes in 72 hours, bringing total on-site builds to nine including a bungalow that began a month earlier, YWCA project materials state. The YWCA Winter Newsletter also lists a “Phase 1 - Move In Day (Oct 2025),” creating multiple documented milestones across the project timeline.

Lindsay Rice framed the neighbourhood’s purpose plainly: “Safe and stable housing is the foundation of a healthy and vibrant community. Project Tiny Hope will revitalize 21 Kains Street in the downtown core of St. Thomas and create a thriving community where youth, adults and families live and grow for years to come.” Rice has also said, “This kind of project is so important. We sure hope that we have more models and opportunities to create affordable housing,” and she noted the site’s transformation from a brownfield into community housing.

Tiny Hope is explicitly supportive housing, with an on-site program house expected to host life skills programming, food security programming and collective kitchens. YWCA operational guidance states: “There is no application process or waiting list for Tiny Hope. We work with existing community partners such as CMHATV – Addictions and Mental Health Services, Family and Children Services St. Thomas-Elgin, Fresh Start Support Services, The INN, Second Stage Housing, St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services, and Indwell to identify low-income vulnerable households in the greatest need for supportive housing.” YWCA Canada adds that individuals and families on local housing and homelessness lists will be considered a priority.

The project’s long-range targets remain substantial. Doug Tarry Homes describes a vision of 40 tiny homes surrounded by green spaces and community gardens, while CBC reports the site is expected to house 66 people when the project is completed in 2026. Planned on-site amenities include fruit and vegetable gardens, seating and play spaces, and a community basketball court; architect Bill Curran of CGS Architects is named in YWCA materials.

Funding and community support are integral. Doug Tarry Homes notes the property was secured with a $200,000 donation from Sanctuary Homes but also acknowledges funding gaps that have caused delays and urges community donations to a Capital Campaign Fund, noting “Every contribution, regardless of size, qualifies for a charitable tax receipt.” The YWCA lists donor tiers and named contributors including the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home: Rural and Remote Homelessness Program via United Way Simcoe Muskoka, the Tarry Hope Foundation and The McLorn Family Estate, and recognizes Circle of Hope Leaders for gifts of $10,000 or more.

Local volunteers and groups contributed to the opening and build culture: Seasons retirement community residents provided knitting and crochet work and the 741 Air Cadet Squadron supplied poppies, details recorded in the Times-Journal. The Times-Journal also framed Tiny Hope as part of a nearly century-long YWCA housing legacy in St. Thomas that began in 1928, and included a personal anecdote from a resident named Kathy recalling wartime connections.

With first move-ins now visible and media coverage from CTV and CBC, remaining questions for project organizers include reconciling milestone dates, current completed-home totals and exact fundraising progress as the capital campaign continues toward the stated 2026 completion target. For project enquiries and community donations, Doug Tarry Homes lists a main office at 122 Edward St., St. Thomas and phone 519-631-9300, with Suzie Dennis, VP Sales & Marketing and Community Engagement, reachable at 519-851-7386.