From London, UK to Denver, CO, tiny homes are in the spotlight as architects and activists are turning toward “living small” as a potential solution to homelessness. AIA Chicago is sponsoring a nationwide Tiny Home Competition, encouraging students, architects, designers and the public to plan and design a community of tiny homes for unsheltered homeless young adults, ages 18 to 24. According to the 2015 Chicago Homeless Count and Survey, 31% of the unsheltered homeless population is between the ages of 18 and 24 years old. This competition both raises awareness of younger homeless populations while also providing viable design solutions to a contemporary social issue. Submissions to the competition—generously funded by the Alphawood Foundation -- were due on January 30, 2016.  Nearly 300 submissions were received.