“To provide our community with affordable access to housing, healthcare and opportunities for economic growth.”
That is the mission statement of the Sulzbacher Housing, Healthcare and Hope organization, which provides a variety of services to the people of Jacksonville, Florida – street outreach; emergency and permanent supportive housing, including scattered-site housing; therapeutic early learning; and case management and job placement assistance.
Sulzbacher has been helping the community since its founding in 1994, when staff began providing health and dental services at churches throughout the city. In 1995, the organization opened its men’s shelter and has since expanded to operate multiple clinics, facilities and programs as well as mobile outreach. Most recently, Sulzbacher established the Tiny Home Village adjacent to its downtown Jacksonville men’s shelter.
Hanson provided pro bono civil engineering services for a pilot program to design a village of 10 tiny homes built on a raised wooden boardwalk. In collaboration with the contractor, Hanson donated its services to the city and other agencies funding the project, including the Jessie Ball duPont Foundation; Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department’s Path Program; and Synergy Steel, the manufacturing partner for the prefabricated homes.
The site occupies an existing parking lot beneath a Hart Bridge ramp, and the tiny homes provide transitional housing for individuals staying at the shelter. The design-build project included an ADA-accessible pathway connecting the raised tiny home area to the men’s shelter, site and grading plans, permitting coordination and providing construction-phase support. Each 8-by-10-foot, shed-style structure accommodates one person and includes space for a small bed, refrigerator, television, microwave and air-conditioning unit.
