Community Shelter Services is planning to build tiny homes for families who have nowhere else to go.

The organization just received $15,000 to build its first tiny home outside of the West 17th Street shelter.

The 10 feet by 14 feet homes are expected to be similar to the ones that are being built at Erie Sports Park.

While those homes are going to be for homeless veterans, these ones will be for homeless families.

"We really broke it down into a need for a health living environment," said Community Shelter Services executive director Diane Lazette.  "What we think the most important thing is rather than congregate living, is a quiet place to call home instead of the community living, and we can provide that with the tiny homes."

As it stands right now, Lazette says men have to stay in a separate part of the shelter, away from women and children.

"It will provide for a family with children, maybe even a dad and his children, which we have no place for right now," said Lazette.  "We have to say no to that almost weekly.  Times are changing."

According to Lazette, the tiny homes will keep families connected as they get back on their feet.

We really see the importance of keeping a family together as much as we can.  So, this is something that these tiny homes provide," said Lazette.  "We're going to start small with just one or two of them, but eventually, we would like to see about 12 of them."

Community Shelter Service hopes to have the first home up and running by January.

This story is supported by the Economic Hardship Reporting Project.