It appears city council is again warming up to the idea of helping the Blood Ties Four Directions Centre with its "tiny house” project.

Back in January, council gave a favourable response to a request from Blood Ties when the non-profit organization sought the city's assistance to cover the cost of hooking up a water and sewer service for the house.

Blood Ties is building the home with the donation of material and volunteer labour to provide a home for clients receiving extended treatment for HIV or Hep C.

The original request was withdrawn before council gave formal approval. That happened when the property owner who had initially offered a piece of his downtown lot for the project withdrew the offer after learning the full extent of what was involved.

Heather Ashthorne, Blood Ties' housing co-ordinator, appeared again Monday with a renewed request for assistance with the water and sewer hookup.

From what she gathers from talking to city staff, Ashthorne told council, the Public Works Department is already booked solid. It would have a tough time installing the service before the scheduled completion in five to six weeks.

She said Blood Ties has received a price estimate from one of the private companies approved by the city to do water and sewer hookups.

While the price is a little above the $12,000 the city estimated it could do the work for, it's within the $15,000 council was originally prepared to allot to have a city crew do the installation, she explained.

Members of council indicated support for the request Monday, and instructed staff to set aside $15,000 to cover the cost. They're scheduled to vote on the funding this coming Monday.

Ashthorne told council that while the new location on Hawkins Street is not permanent, owner Antonio Zedda has indicated there are no plans to do anything with the lot for at least a year or two.

As a condition of the funding, the city insists that if the tiny house is moved, the water and sewer service either be terminated or the property owner reimburse the city for the installation cost.

Blood Ties is looking for a more permanent site, and is hoping to expand its tiny house program, Ashthorne told council.

Blood Ties recently dedicated the current project in the memory of the late NDP MLA Steve Cardiff, in recognition of his work on behalf of the homeless, the marginalized and those who face barriers to housing. He died in a South Klondike Highway collision in July 2011.

Ashthorne said this initial tiny house project will be known as the Steve Cardiff House.

Stable housing in areas accessible to neighbourhood shops and services is essential in the success of a client receiving long-term treatment for blood diseases, council heard earlier this year.

Ashthorne said in an interview Blood Ties would like to have the house occupied by mid-summer.

The house is being pre-fabricated at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Black Street and will be moved to Hawkins Street upon completion.