Chad Gibson, Community Development Director for Upper Arlington, shared insights with local Rotary members about the work his students at Ohio State University’s Knowlton School of Architecture and Planning are doing for PICCA (Pickaway County Community Action Organization). Since September, Gibson’s class of 12 seniors has been working on a project that examines PICCA’s proposal to create a tiny-home community to help unhoused veterans.
The students have been exploring the project from multiple perspectives, including development, construction, zoning, fundraising, and marketing, and are focused on how to transform this concept into a functional reality.
Meanwhile, the Pickaway County Homeless Coalition has been actively working on a related initiative to address homelessness in the area. The coalition is in discussions with the Building and Zoning Committee regarding a proposed homeless shelter composed of several tiny pole barns to assist local homeless individuals. The new organization behind the project, Transition Through Hope, plans to create a one-stop shop for homeless and at-risk individuals in the area, providing services aimed at long-term stability and community reintegration.
Homelessness has been a growing issue in Pickaway County. A 2019 point-in-time county study showed a nearly 100% increase in the homeless population, rising from 37 individuals in 2018 to 63 in 2019. In response, the Pickaway County Homeless Coalition, a non-profit organization, has been working since 2019 to develop safe, transitional housing options and connect individuals to supportive services such as case management, employment assistance, and long-term housing solutions.
“The goal of our organization is to not just provide a shelter, but to offer a life restoration center,” said a representative of the coalition. The facility would provide more than just temporary housing—it would offer case management, counseling, child reunification support, and assistance with employment and budgeting, all aimed at helping individuals transition from homelessness to stability.
The proposed facility, located at 1369 North Court Street near Elsea Mobile Home Village and Walnut Creek Pike, is seeking approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) to rezone the property from General Business to a residential complex. If the zoning change is approved, the facility would provide 24/7 housing for men, women, and families, a critical resource in a county with no other facility offering similar support.
This shelter would offer safe, secure housing, showers, three meals a day, and an eight-month program designed to help individuals move from the streets to permanent homes. The coalition aims to offer a holistic approach to tackling homelessness, ensuring that residents receive the support they need to rebuild their lives and re-enter the community successfully.
As the coalition moves forward with their plans, they continue to work with local government agencies, social service providers, and community partners to bring this essential resource to the Pickaway County area.
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