Monarch Village, located on the property of the Lawrence Community Shelter (LCS), is an innovative shelter solution that meets the needs of families experiencing homelessness while supporting their transition to permanent housing. Homelessness is a public health crisis that affects the psychological and physical well-being of individuals and communities. Across the nation, homeless shelters struggle to provide safe, trauma-informed environments for families and individuals in transition. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Studio 804 donated and built 12 safe, easy-to-staff dwellings that offer much-needed privacy for families while allowing residents access to important services at the shelter. It is hoped that this project will serve as a precedent for moving away from housing people experiencing homelessness in gymnasium-like rooms filled with bunk beds.

The tiny homes are arranged in pairs around shared covered patios. They surround an existing community vegetable garden and future plantings intended to support monarch butterfly migration. A 900-square-foot, open-sided commons shelter sits just north of the garden and serves as a gathering space for shelter residents. Each unit accommodates four people, with two separate sleeping areas: one with a bunk bed and the other with a pull-out sleeper sofa. In addition, each unit has a full bathroom and a small kitchenette. One unit is fully accessible in accordance with ADA requirements. Studio 804 students designed and built all the furniture and cabinetry. The cafeteria in the main building serves meals to the entire shelter population using a farm-to-table concept. The small kitchenettes are intended for supplemental food preparation and provide access to fresh water. Each unit is equipped with a sprinkler system to provide a high standard of fire safety for residents.