What started as a $1,000 fundraiser has now turned into a campaign that is gaining attention from around Western Canada.
The Moccasin Flats tiny home GoFundMe has brought in over $12,000 since being posted, with other donations of cash, supplies, vouchers, building space, and more coming in separately.
So far, the group of volunteers behind the project, led by Brad Gustafson and Phillip Fredriksson, have built and given away seven tiny homes to people sheltering in the encampment – with two more on their way soon.
In an interview with My PG Now, Gustafson said InGreen Building Systems, a Calgary-based company, reached out after hearing about the project to donate six more tiny homes.
Those homes are set to arrive in Prince George and be distributed tomorrow.
“It is a change of life for these people,” Gustafson said. “Some of them are in tents, some of them are sleeping in the streets. Obviously, a secure and sheltered home that belongs to them will be a huge stress and weight off their mind.”
“Six more homes from Calgary? Absolutely! We will gratefully give them out to the people on our list,” he said.
That list consists of 60 people, the ultimate goal is still to build 45 more homes.
That goal has evolved as the weeks pass, as mentioned before the GoFundMe’s first target goal was $1,000.
Thinking about all of the support the campaign has received, Gustafson said “it is so much encouragement to all of us as we do the labour,” and thanked the people who have given so far.
They will be holding an event at Moccasin Flats tomorrow (Friday) morning at around 10:30 to celebrate the donation and arrival of the new homes.
All are welcome to attend and sponsors, volunteers, and mayor and council have all been invited.
This all comes not long after the City of Prince George posted stop work and do not occupy orders on the tiny home project –Â but made clear they were for liability reasons and would not be enforced.
Now one quarter of the way to their goal, Gustafson is asking people to “spread the word.”
“It is the Christmas season, this is the perfect opportunity to go out and do some Christmas giving!”
You can find the GoFundMe page here.