How Dr. Tiny Got Her Name | Fuller Center Delaware
Introduction:
Meet Dr. Michele Williams—better known today as "Dr. Tiny." From a career in the U.S. Air Force to earning a PhD in Public Policy, her path to housing advocacy wasn’t typical. In this post, Dr. Tiny shares how a single moment of frustration with national healthcare policy launched her mission to fix the root causes of housing injustice—and how a nickname given during a tiny house presentation became her public identity.
From Pharmacist to Air Force to Housing Advocate
🎯 A Second Act with Purpose
After 30 years serving in the Air Force as a pharmacist, Michele found herself wondering what her next chapter would be. When she heard the Affordable Care Act pass with little focus on actual health, it ignited a fire: she decided to pursue a PhD in Public Policy to help shape policy that makes sense and serves people.
🏡 Discovering the Power of Housing
Her research led her deep into the social determinants of health—where housing kept showing up. She began investigating how zoning, finance, and local policies blocked or supported affordable and healthy communities. That led her ultimately to tiny homes, working veterans' housing, and the Fuller Center fort Housing model.
👩⚕️ Becoming Dr. Tiny
While giving a national talk about tiny housing, a moderator introduced her as “Dr. Tiny”—and the name stuck. It now represents not just her academic background, but her philosophy: small homes, small actions, and small-scale development can create massive change.
🔎 Dr. Tiny’s Housing Prescription:
Diagnose community housing needs
Prescribe policies that work
Perform strategic interventions
Prevent displacement with repairs and starter homes
📈 Why this Matters
Dr. Tiny’s story reminds us that policy isn’t just a government tool — it’s a human solution. Her journey proves that bold ideas and lived experience can rewrite what’s possible for housing justice, one small home at a time.
📅 What Happens Next?
As the Fuller Center for Housing of Delaware brings these small-scale solutions to life, we’re looking for people ready to help us build smarter, healthier, and more inclusive communities — one partnership at a time.
🧭 What’s Your Role in the Story of Housing?
As the Fuller Center for Housing of Delaware brings these small-scale solutions to life, we’re looking for people ready to help us build smarter, healthier, and more inclusive communities — one partnership at a time.
💬 Leave a comment below and let us know how housing impacts your story. (COMING SOON)
