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Resident proposes tiny-home village as council and nonprofits push for homelessness action
Summary
Speakers at the Oct. 28 Newport News City Council meeting urged immediate action on homelessness after the city-funded Virginia Homeless Study of 2025. A resident offered a plan for a 100-plus tiny-home community; local provider LINC and councilmembers described rising eviction pressure and new short-term feeding plans.
Rick Hewitt, a resident who said he works with people experiencing homelessness, urged the council to implement recommendations from the Virginia Homeless Study of 2025 and outlined a plan called the Good Samaritan Community Village of Virginia, a proposed tiny-home community with a basic health clinic, a community center, a life-skills center and a community garden.
"I desire to provide 100 or more permanent homes for the homeless in a community called Good Samaritan Community Village of Virginia," Hewitt said, describing tiny homes, consolidated services and a focus on rehabilitation and dignity.
Elizabeth Parker, identified as president and CEO of LINC, told the council that her organization expects 950 to 1,000 unduplicated clients this season after serving 812 last year and that LINC receives 20 to 35 eviction-related calls daily. "On a daily basis at LINC, we average anywhere from 20 to 35 calls a day of individuals being evicted," she said, and asked council to investigate eviction pressures facing residents.
Council members responded that they see a need for "an innovative and strategic way to address" homelessness but emphasized managing locations and public safety. The mayor said the council does not intend to allow "10 cities to pop up across the city," and added that the council must find a balance between caring for underserved residents and avoiding unregulated encampments.
Several council members and community speakers described near-term supports. Councilman Ealy announced a city-supported hot-meals effort beginning Nov. 1 that he said will run through Nov. 10; the first location for Nov. 1 was named as The Alley, 100 New Market Square Drive, from 5 to 7 p.m. Councilman Long and others encouraged collaboration with faith-based organizations and service providers.
The meeting record shows no formal council vote or adoption of policy related to the tiny-home proposal; speakers asked the council to review zoning, regulations and bureaucracy that they said could impede community-led solutions. City staff did not provide a timeline for follow-up actions during the meeting.
Community providers and councilmembers said they would continue coordination. LINC and other groups were invited to provide materials to the city clerk for follow-up; Hewitt left a business plan with the clerk during his remarks.
Ending: The council acknowledged the public comments and indicated staff follow-up and councilmember outreach but did not take formal action on the proposals during the Oct. 28 session.
