Farm at Penny Lane Tiny Homes Update: Affordable Housing Changing Lives in North Carolina
I was so excited to have lunch with Thava Mahadevan and hear an update on the Tiny Homes at the Farm at Penny Lane. I also wanted to hear about what else he was working on.
He is so kind, charismatic, and inspiring. I left feeling completely uplifted. He’s just that kind of person. Really, the kind who makes you believe hard things are possible.
And the big news?
The clubhouse is complete.
AND the Tiny Homes are fully occupied.
Take a second and let that sink in.
It’s easy to sit here and report this news as exciting progress (and it absolutely is), but we should pause and remember: this project has been 10 years in the making. Ten years of vision. Ten years of fundraising. Ten years of logistics, partnerships, setbacks, and persistence. So much heart and soul was poured into every detail.
Let’s Start From the Beginning
Thava’s work with the UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health laid the groundwork for this project. Nearly two decades ago, he founded Cross Disability Services to approach mental health treatment differently. He recognizes that a stable home is one of the first steps in recovery.
“If you don’t have that basic security of a home, everything else is so hard. It becomes a huge challenge. This will really change people’s lives in a huge way, especially for people with serious mental illness.”
Housing isn’t just shelter. It’s the foundation.
Thoughtful by Design
Each home in the village is just over 400 square feet. That might sound small, but the impact is huge.
Homes are rented for roughly one-third of each resident’s income, removing one of the biggest barriers to recovery. That is what true affordability looks like.
Another beautiful part of this story? These homes were not built in isolation.
Garman Homes, along with many of our local trades professionals, donated time, materials, and expertise to help bring Thava’s vision to life. It’s a powerful example of what can happen when the building community rallies around something bigger than a project. This became a mission.
More than a Roof
The Farm at Penny Lane isn’t just housing. It’s community-based healing.
Residents have access to:
- Horticulture therapy
- Animal therapy
- Shared community spaces
- On-site support resources
The newly completed clubhouse will serve as the heart of the community. It’s a place for gathering, connection, and programming. Because recovery isn’t meant to happen alone.
What’s Next?
If you think Thava is slowing down now that the homes are full. Think again!
He shared that more unique projects are already in the works across the Triangle area. The ideas are there. The need is certainly there. We can't forget there were close to 2000 applicants for 15 homes. He’s currently working through logistics and fundraising to determine what comes next.
And if the past ten years are any indication, whatever comes next will be thoughtful, intentional, and deeply impactful.
Thava, we are honored to have been on this journey with you. I think it was no accident that Alaina opened your Linkedin message when she did. We are so thankful to be part of your story and can’t wait to see what you accomplish next.
