Garrett-Osborne Foundation Formed to Build Vermilion County Tiny Homes by Fall 2026

The Garrett-Osborne Sustainable Community Foundation has cleared a key legal hurdle with state approval of its Articles of Incorporation, a step founder Hope Garrett said makes the effort officially real and clears the path to build tiny homes in Vermilion County. Garrett, CEO of Education Personnel Federal Credit Union, said, "Well, the latest update is that our Articles of Incorporation were approved by the state of Illinois, meaning our foundation finally officially 'exists.'"

The nonprofit, also called the GO Foundation, will own and manage the tiny-home community project and is now working on federal filings for an Employer Identification Number and 501(c)(3) nonprofit status so it can accept donations and apply for grants to fund construction. Education Personnel FCU, a $74-million credit union led by Garrett, will provide startup funding while the foundation pursues outside grants and donations for long-term growth.

Garrett has identified land options with the City of Danville for an initial build of six-to-eight small-scale homes for people experiencing homelessness, and she hopes construction can begin in fall 2026 during the 2026-27 school year. Garrett has discussed screening with an area homeless shelter and is targeting rents in the $300-400 per month range once homes are built with grant funding.

The project pairs shelter with workforce development. The foundation plans to partner with local schools and trade education programs so students can gain real-world construction experience while helping build the units. A for-profit tiny-home manufacturer has donated blueprints free of charge to support the nonprofit purpose. Garrett has also begun conversations with local education, healthcare, and social service leaders to create wraparound supports for residents.

Garrett framed the effort as more than housing. "It's about creating a place where people can feel safe, supported, and like they're part of something again," she said. "We're building homes, yes—but more importantly, we're building hope." She added that the initiative started as an idea and has moved into formal action: "In May this was all still Hope’s crazy idea," Garrett said. "What was once an idea is actually now a real legal entity." Garrett emphasized the basic power of an address, saying, "This all started because we wanted to eradicate homelessness in Vermilion County. An address is a magical thing in today’s world."

Next steps for the foundation include securing the federal EIN and 501(c)(3) determination, finalizing a site in Danville, confirming the unit designs and permitting, and locking in funding beyond EPFCU's startup commitment. Garrett has set up a community working group called Tiny Homes of Vermilion County and launched a social media presence to share updates and recruit partners.

For local readers, the project offers short-term affordability and potential long-term workforce training as schools and trade programs take part in construction. The immediate milestones to watch are the federal nonprofit filings, land agreements with Danville, and whether the foundation can begin site work in fall 2026 as planned.