After years of couch-surfing and moving between homeless shelters, Valentino Ortiz was doubtful that four walls and a roof were in his future.

However, on April 1, Ortiz received news that he had been offered a spot at Elati Village   Denver's only tiny home village catering to women, transgender, and non-binary individuals.

"It literally saved my life," Ortiz said. "It's a miracle for me."

Construction on Elati Village began in December 2023 as a pivotal aspect of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston's House1000 initiative, which aimed to provide housing for 1,000 formerly homeless individuals by the end of 2023.

By May 2024, Denver's House1000 dashboard showed 1,289 individuals are now housed either in non-group shelters or permanent accommodations. Currently, the city boasts three micro-communities and five hotels dedicated to housing those in need.

Operated by The Gathering Place   one of Denver's two homelessness service organizations catering to women, transgender, and non-binary individuals   Elati Village comprises 44 tiny homes enclosed in a corner near Elati Street and 13th Avenue.

D'Wanna Powell, The Gathering Place's residential program director, said that the village's location is optimal because it's in proximity to the Central Denver Public Library, bus stops and The Gathering Place's hub on High Street.

"I like bringing people in to decompress and get things in order before they move into permanent housing," Powell said. "They can't maintain their housing if they don't sustain employment, manage their mental health, and address all those different aspects."

Elati Village opened several months after an emergency shelter at Rodeway Inn Motel   also operated by The Gathering Place   closed in August 2023. The village operates with a $1,451,142 grant from the Denver Department of Housing Stability.

Residents are likely to stay around six months, but The Gathering Place will ensure they have a permanent housing option before they leave the village, Powell said.

"I worry about other people who are on the streets and don't have anywhere to go," Powell said. "Our number one goal is to get people permanently housed."