JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville nonprofit has unveiled new tiny homes in an effort to address homelessness among young mothers and their children in Northeast Florida.
The Youth Crisis Center’s Maternity Independent Living and Life Skills (MILLS) program provides fully furnished homes to women aged 18-24 who are pregnant or have children under age two.
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“A lot of these kids are coming from families where maybe there has been violence in the home or they’ve experienced trauma,” said Logan Farrelly, Chief Operating Officer of Youth Crisis Center. “To be able to say ‘here’s your keys and here’s home,’ some of them haven’t really felt that before.”
The program comes at a critical time, as one in five people experiencing homelessness in Northeast Florida are in families with children. Young adults make up 9% of the region’s unhoused population.
Program details
The newly constructed duplexes come equipped with:
- Full kitchen
- Living area with glider
- Bedroom with crib and bed for mother
- Private bathroom
- On-site laundry facilities
Four mothers have already moved in, with five more candidates being evaluated for the program. Residents can stay until their child reaches 21 months of age, and they keep all furnishings and items when they move out.
Comprehensive support services
Beyond housing, the MILLS program offers:
- Transportation assistance
- Free food and essential items
- Therapy services
- Life skills training
- Educational support (school enrollment, college planning)
- Career development (resume building, trade programs)
- Parenting skills classes
- Psychological support
The initiative emerged from a recognized community need, particularly after the organization noticed pregnant teens seeking help at their shelter for 10 to 17-year-olds.
How to get help
If you are 18-24 years old, pregnant, or parenting and need assistance, contact the Youth Crisis Center:
- 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (904) 725-6662
- Website: https://youthcrisiscenter.org/
The Youth Crisis Center provides comprehensive support services and safe housing for young mothers facing homelessness in the Jacksonville area.