Title
Tiny/Small Houses (B)
This item is a request for the Community Development Committee to explore the concept of tiny houses as part of its ongoing research on Achievable Housing.
Explanation
The “tiny house” or “small house” movement is an architectural movement that encourages a return to houses of less than 1000 square feet. To be “tiny”, a house should be no more than 400 square feet; these houses are frequently built on wheels and either towed around to different locations or parked in RV communities. “Small” houses are typically between 400 and 1000 square feet in size, are built on a foundation, and must meet the same building codes as larger houses. Design is key, so that homeowners can get the most out of their space, and the focus is often on utilizing dual-purpose features and emphasis on vertical design and space-saving equipment and furniture.
The movement is also a social movement, popularized after the financial crisis of 2008, as the lower cost of building and maintaining a small home became more attractive. Small houses are typically less expensive to build than larger homes, so it is easier to own the home outright, save money on taxes, utilities, and “stuff” to fill the home, and pay down other debt. They allow homeowners to be more energy efficient and lower their carbon footprint. The small house lifestyle encourages people to spend less time consuming and more time experiencing the world and relationships.
Small houses have been touted as a possible solution for issues of homelessness, lack of affordable housing, and downsizing for the elderly. Despite the popularity of large homes, small houses made up 8 percent of new home construction in 2014. However, some small home advocates have experienced challenges from zoning regulations that may specify minimum square footage or the legal placement of a tiny house on wheels. Some developers are creating communities of small houses called “pocket neighborhoods”.
Fiscal Note
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