O.C.E.A.N. Inc. is making real progress in efforts to house the homeless in Ocean County and beyond.

The group has set up a model tiny home on the campus of Ocean County College - the type of home O.C.E.A.N. Inc. President and CEO Ted Gooding says he hopes to build throughout our area.

"We have several lots throughout the county," Gooding said.  "We own lots in Barnegat, we're in the process of acquiring lots in Tuckerton, we're talking to people in Lakewood as well, and Atlantic and Cape May Counties."

O.C.E.A.N. Inc. plans to focus this effort on seniors, veterans, and people with special needs - providing not just affordable housing, but also access to support services.  They'll fund the project using grants or possibly by mortgaging the properties themselves, and also by asking municipalities to explore their own funding sources and donate land.  Right now, Gooding is focusing on a parcel of land his group already owns in Barnegat, adjacent to more traditional rental units.  He says simply having units available doesn't solve the problem for everyone.

"Market rents can run from $1200 to $1700 a month," Gooding said.  "Many of the families that we serve only have an income average of $700 to $1300 a month."

Gooding's tiny homes will rent for $250 to $700 per month, and, unlike other proposed tiny home communities, his residents will also have the option to buy.  The fully-equipped and furnished models range from 250 to 600 square feet and can be one or two stories.  Gooding says the 10X24 model at OCC cost less than $20,000 to build.

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