Homeless people across the nation are finding refuge by moving into small, environmentally friendly houses that allow them to be a part of society again.

The tiny houses, ranging from 60 to 90-square-feet, are cost effective compared to more expensive, larger dwellings, the Associated Press reported Wednesday. Religious organizations and advocates build the houses in small communities, sometimes requiring that residents be drug and alcohol free.

"You're out of the elements, you've got your own bed, you've got your own place to call your own," Harold "Hap" Morgan, who does not have a permanent home, told the AP. "It gives you a little bit of self-pride: This is my house."

The nonprofit Occupy Madison Build plans to provide Morgan with a 99-square-foot home in Madison, Wisconsin. The nonprofit, which is organized by the same people who started the Occupy movement, plans to build tiny-house communities in Wash, Eugene, Portland and Olympia, Oregon the AP reported.

One of the houses the organization built for a couple cost $5,000. The house has no electricity or running water, but comes with a propane heater and is insulated. A double bed, small table, and compostable toilet complete the dwelling, the AP reported.

Other residents in the neighborhood are not too keen about what OM Build is planning. One Madison resident said she is concerned about the level of noise the new residents might bring.

"There have been people who have always been associated with people who are homeless that are unsavory types of people," Linda Brown told the AP.

But for people like Morgan, who has battled alcohol addiction and unemployment, the tiny home would be a haven. Morgan currently lives in a trailer given to him by OM Build. He told the AP he wants to be a chef again.

"My goal is to go back to that and get my own place, but it's really nice to have this to fall back on," Morgan said.