IKEA donates first tiny home to support healing for homeless seniors

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Big problems and tiny homes.

According to Fast Company, that’s the latest message from IKEA, which has just finished its first-of-its-kind tiny home designed for people who have experienced homelessness.

Back in May, the Swedish home goods retailer announced plans to give back in a new way. Instead of directing donations to a non-profit, the company decided to use its expertise to lean into an area in dire need of refurbishing — housing, and more specifically, affordable housing.

San Antonio is one of many U.S. cities that has seen a steady increase in homelessness since the pandemic. In 2023, over 3,100 people were counted as experiencing homelessness, according to the San Antonio Point-In-Time Council.

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IKEA saw an opportunity at San Antonio’s Towne Twin Village, a permanent supportive housing community that is being built for seniors who have been living in encampments, have experienced at least a year of homelessness, or have disabilities or suffer from chronic illnesses.

The retailer teamed up with a local architecture firm, WestEast Design Group’s Social Impact Studio, with a lofty goal in mind: to construct a sustainable tiny home that fosters healing and reduces the risk of re-traumatization for its inhabitants.

“A home is more than a physical space; it’s where we are able to find comfort, peace, and a sense of belonging,” Sam Eisenman, Sustainability Business Partner at IKEA U.S., said in a press release earlier this year.

The company tested the first Small Home prototype at the IKEA Live Oak location, where residents were able to come in and share their feedback for what they wanted in a home to feel safe, and secure.

Employees were also trained on the design principles and how to apply them while maintaining a person-centered, empathy-led approach throughout the design process.

“It’s crucial that we as IKEA do our part to create environments that support healing, reduce the risk of re-traumatization, and promote overall well-being for all occupants,” said Keena Garcia, IKEA Live Oak Market Manager.

This week, the first-ever IKEA Small Home Model has been completed in Towne Twin Village, and every one of its 365-square feet is designed with intention. The main concept was molded after symbols from nature where healing and growth happen, like a chrysalis or a cacoon.

Privacy was important, but so was a feeling of spatial awareness. Residents expressed a desire for clear lines of vision from any point in the house, so the Small Home Model was constructed with tall, yet narrow windows and multiple layers of drapes and textiles.

The design team also wanted to give the residents a sense of control and expression. Many typical living spaces, like motorhomes and other tiny homes, feature built-in furniture that can’t be rearranged. The IKEA furnishings are lightweight and multifunctional, so users can make the space their own.

Many people who have experienced homelessness are accustomed to using public bathrooms and standing in tight shower stalls. The designers wanted to give them a place to relax and unwind, so they were sure to save room for a bathtub.

“At IKEA, caring for people and the planet is at the heart of everything we do, and we see an opportunity to build on the work of those who are already leading in trauma-informed design and use the approach to build resilient communities and create supportive spaces for the many,” Eisenman added.

As of now, IKEA has only finished one Small Home in the housing community, but the company’s vision is looking further than Towne Twin Village. IKEA has been investing in trauma-informed design pilot projects across the country, including initiatives in Memphis and Washington, D.C.

The company hopes the first Small Home will spur a conversation around trauma-informed design, and encourage stakeholders to address more challenges surrounding the affordable housing crises — so people don’t just have housing, but a safe, secure, refuge that supports them in their next stage of life.