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February 26, 2021

Marysville, Wash. — Kurt Galley, owner of Carriage Houses Northwest, towers above the rest. Standing at around 6’2”, it’s interesting that such a big presence is in the business of making tiny houses. Thirty-five, in fact, for Quixote Communities, a nonprofit that provides permanent supportive housing to people experiencing homelessness. These houses are specifically going to serve US military veterans.

“We’ve got a missional aspect to our company, that we want to be involved in all aspects of affordable housing and providing basic shelter is a big part of our corporate mission,” Galley said. The contract under which this project was taking place, included multiple groups, and required strict recycling provisions.

That’s where The United Group came in, with their LEED and sustainability reporting that provides accurate numbers into what is recycled, it was the only company capable of meeting those standards. The importance of sustainability is a shared belief between the two. While Carriage Houses Northwest builds in a factory to reduce the amount of waste during the building process, The United Group is able to turn that waste into opportunity.

With the majority of the project wrapping up, Galley reflects on the importance of Carriage Houses Northwest’s community engagement. Along with the 35 houses will be a 2,200 square foot building for cooking, laundry and hosting meetings. This won’t just be a building, but rather the foundation for community.

Galley mentions the loss of community being a huge factor in homelessness and, “this effort to provide that sense of belonging helps people start to make their first steps from emergency housing to transitional to permanent.” The Orting Veterans Village is slated to open this March and support some of the most vulnerable in Pierce County.

To learn more about Quixote Communities visit: www.quixotecommunities.org