KEY TAKEAWAYS: NAMI Southeast Louisiana broke ground Oct. 22 on a tiny homes village in Lacombe that will provide permanent supportive housing for 15 residents. The development will include individual homes, shared gathering spaces and access to mental health services, with some housing priori tized for veterans. The project is supported by $500,000 in federal funding through St. Tammany Parish, more than five acres of donated land and contributions from construction and architectural partners. NAMI Southeast Louisiana provided housing to 284 individuals in 2025, accounting for more than 100,000 nights of shelter across the region.   NAMI Southeast Louisiana has broken ground on a tiny homes development in Lacombe that will provide permanent supportive housing for 15 people living with serious mental illness, expanding housing options for vulnerable residents in St. Tammany Parish. The nonprofit organization held a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 22 for the Tiny Homes Village, which will feature individual residences, a main house and shared gathering areas. The development will also connect residents with support services, case management, transportation assistance and community resources. A portion of the homes will be prioritized for veterans. The project is supported by a donation of more than five acres of land from longtime mental health advocate Susan Johanssen and $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding provided by St. Tammany Parish government. DSLD Builders is providing construction services at cost, while MSH Architects has donated much of its professional services to support the development. “Everyone deserves a safe place to call home and a community where they belong,” said Nick Richard, executive director of NAMI Southeast Louisiana. “For unhoused individuals living with a mental illness, this project provides the most basic of human needs and can mean the difference between simply surviving and having the opportunity to thrive.” The development is intended to address housing instability among people with serious mental illness, who can face increased risks of homelessness, hospitalization and incarceration without access to stable housing and ongoing support. By combining permanent residences with supportive services, NAMI Southeast Louisiana aims to help residents maintain independence and improve their long-term stability. The organization has operated supervised supportive housing programs since 2013. In 2025, it provided housing to 284 individuals across southeast Louisiana, accounting for more than 100,000 nights of shelter. The Tiny Homes Village will expand those services by creating additional housing opportunities for individuals who need both permanent housing and access to mental health resources. NAMI Southeast Louisiana Board President Amy Ybarzabal led the Oct. 22 groundbreaking ceremony, which included remarks from Richard, DSLD Builders Project Manager Andrew Cahanin and MSH Architects Principal Architect Shiloh Moates. Community partners, local officials and family members of residents attended the event, where speakers discussed the role of supportive housing in improving outcomes for people living with mental illness. Construction is underway, although the organization has not announced an anticipated completion date or total project cost. NAMI Southeast Louisiana is continuing to seek financial support from businesses, foundations and community members to complete the development. The nonprofit provides mental health education, support groups, advocacy and housing assistance across nine parishes in southeast Louisiana. According to the organization, its programs served more than 67,000 residents in 2025. ...read more read less