North Carolina farm builds 7 tiny homes inspired by a woman who spent 27 years in prison

A woman who spent 27 years in prison inspired a North Carolina farm to create seven tiny homes for formerly incarcerated women and gender-expansive people. In 2019, Deb, a former Benevolence Farm resident, proposed a place where people leaving the shared farmhouse could practise independent living alongside supportive neighbours.The organisation is building the homes on its property in Graham, giving residents individual spaces and a community around them with supportive peers.

According to Benevolence Farm, the project aims to help residents manage a household and rebuild their lives after incarceration, with support from peers. The idea came from Deb, and dozens of alumni helped co-design the project.How a woman who spent 27 years in prison inspired the projectDeb approached Benevolence Farm in 2019, after spending 27 years in prison.

She had been living in the organisation’s shared farmhouse and valued that experience. However, she was afraid of a neighborhood that did not welcome her.