CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The deadline for students in West Virginia to construct tiny homes for families who lost everything in the June flood is in one week.
Vocational schools statewide have spent weeks working on the “Big Hearts, Tiny Houses” project. The deadline to complete the homes is Dec. 19.
The homes are about 700 square feet, according to Kathy D’Antoni, state assistant superintendent of schools. She said students are working around the clock to build these homes.
“These students are working weekends, they’re working at night, communities are coming in. It is West Virginia at its best,” D’Antoni said.
The homes have been designed by students in an effort to get families back on their feet this winter.
“We had our simulated workplace companies design them. The total design is up to the school. They’re all different. They all look different,” D’Antoni said.
The average cost for one of the homes is around $15,000 to $20,000, she said.
The state Department of Education and the Greater Recovery and Community Empowerment have worked with the schools to get around 20 houses built.
The homes include a bathroom, kitchen, living room and laundry room.
Houses will be picked up and transported to the National Guard at Yeager Airport then delivered to families on Dec. 20.