Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh has taken a significant step forward in addressing the housing needs of vulnerable communities by completing its first tiny home project.
This initiative marks a milestone for the NC Catholics Volunteer Program, which has been dedicated to building and repairing homes for neighbors in need across central and eastern North Carolina since 2017.
Neighbors like Debbie McClain… also called Marlena and mom to many.
“Yeah, I’m like big Mama. Like I take care of everybody. Even children that ain’t mine. I take care of them. That’s just me,” said McClain.
Building McClain’s home was a collaboration involving Catholic Charities USA, AmeriCorps, community volunteers, Catholic Charities regional construction team and staff, community partner organizations, and private donors.
The Tiny Home project began in January 2024 with a groundbreaking on McClain’s property… next to her mobile home, battered over time and year after year from Hurricanes, like Matthew and Florence.
The journey culminated with a joyful house blessing that touched the new homeowner’s soul. “For me, it’s been surreal,” shared McClain during the house blessing. “It was amazing just to smell the new scent, see all the colors. It’s beautiful.”
Beautiful, safe, secure, and free of mold and other health hazards that plagued her old home. McClain said, “There is a reason to believe, and there is hope. Just don’t give up. God sends signs when people don’t even expect it to give you what you need.”
Her perseverance was the driving force behind her continued hope, even as she saw her previous home falling apart piece by piece. “It’s easier to give up, but my granny raised me to never give up on nothing and that’s what I’m believing in.”
A Pilot Project with Future Potential
Emilie Hart, the Cape Fear regional director of Catholic Charities, acknowledged the magnitude of this accomplishment. “While we broke ground in January, there were a lot of steps before Marlena qualified for this build. She was impacted by both Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. She’s been waiting since 2016.” Hart also emphasized that disaster survivors often wait a long time for full assistance, making this project even more special.
“This was kind of a pilot for us,” Hart said. “We hope that today’s dedication will open the door for others in our community who live in substandard housing.” She pointed out the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Florence, which was predicted to take five to eight years, noting that “we’re at year six, exactly this month.”
Community Collaboration: A Key to Success
The success of this project is a testament to the power of collaboration. Brian King, the Cape Fear Region’s construction manager, said he’s grateful for the volunteers and partners who made the project possible. “We called in the cavalry of volunteers,” King said. “It was sweat, blood, and tears, but it all came together.” He praised the AmeriCorps team for their contributions during the early stages of construction, along with other volunteers who traveled from different states to help.
For King, the true reward was seeing the transformation in McClain’s life. “Going from having a house that feels like it’s falling down around you to being able to go into something and know that when it rains, you’re not going to get wet or when I sleep, I’m going to be safe. So, to see that this family is definitely going to have a whole life changed… it’s definitely heart-touching.”
Preparing For a Bright Future
Catholic Charities CEO Lisa Perkins expressed pride and optimism in the organization’s first completed tiny home. “I am so excited for today,” she said. “It’s the first tiny house we’ve built from the ground up, and hopefully not the last. We know there are many families in need, and we want to respond to those needs and make sure they have safe and secure housing.”
Perkins highlighted the stark contrast between McClain’s old, storm-battered mobile home and her new tiny home. “What this really shows is what happens when communities come together. We organized this, but we had a lot of help to make it happen,” Perkins said.
As Catholic Charities plans its second tiny home, the organization looks forward to creating more opportunities for families like McClain’s to find stability and hope. “We’re proud to have delivered on our promise of a safe home, and we’re eager to continue this important work,” Perkins added.
The completion of the tiny home is not just the end of a long journey but the start of a broader effort addressing the housing needs of disaster survivors and those living in substandard conditions across North Carolina.