"TINY HOUSES"....Could this Work for Some?

[KoKo]

Tiny House Homeless Shelters to Weather The Economic Hurricane



Oprah ran a story about the recession and the increasing number of people finding themselves with nothing but debt and homelessness. Part of the story was about the tent cities popping up all across America. The tent city they visited was actually not that far from my home near Sacramento, which surprised me at first. After about two seconds it made perfect sense because Sacramento has been hit hard by this economic hurricane.

On Thursday my friend Ryan sent me an article on a group of college students at Emily Carr University that built some tiny houses for the homeless as a school project. Ironically (or not) the story was in a little in a little newspaper Ryan bought from a homeless fellow he sees everyday in Boston called Spare Change.



The students built three prototypes and at first local governments weren’t interested in using them. Luckily someone came to their senses and today they are in use by the Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Society. They are no larger than 64 square feet, provide shelter and a warm place to sleep, and cost less than $1,500 CAD each to build.

For those of us who think about tiny houses every day this doesn’t seem like a new or strange idea. In fact it seems perfectly logical to build tiny houses for the homeless or anyone who needs or wants a low-cost place to live. In fact it seems so logical to me I wonder why communities across America with growing numbers of tent cities haven’t already begun building them. Don’t worry I have a vague awareness the immense complexities that would impair such a simple solution, but I am hopeful that Oprah’s story will encourage the slow turning bureaucratic cogs to allow such communities.

A community like this could not only provide safe tiny homes to live temporarily but a place to lock up a few belongings while they are away at work or elsewhere. They could also help people regain a sense of pride which would work wonders for helping these folks recapture their lives. The one thing that really stuck with me after watching her show Wednesday night was the despair these folks were experiencing. There’s nothing that impairs progress like the feeling of hopelessness. A tiny house to call their own could be their ticket to a brighter future.

The Oprah show did report that the Sacramento city government was considering legalizing our local tent cities but why not go a step farther and legalize portable/temporary owner-built tiny homes too. Then, god willing, go an extra step and provide a little money for building materials and basic services like water and waste management.

I know the state is broke but at some point don’t we have to admit that many Americans are feeling the brunt of an economic hurricane and deserve immediate disaster relief?

Photo credit to the students of Emily Carr University and CTV. You can also find more info about these tiny houses on Core77, Megaphone, and CTV.



MORE AT:

http://www.tinyhousedesign.com/tiny-house-homeless-shelters-to-weather-the-economic-hurricane/


====================
Tiny Houses For The Homeless

Posted by Laura LaVoie on August 20, 2013 // 14 Comments

There is a phenomenon in the Tiny House community. Every casual reader seems to think that every tiny house blogger is Jay Shafer himself. I have received countless emails and Facebook messages that start out addressed, “Dear Jay.”

One such message that stuck with me was an individual who expressed a lot of anger that “I” wasn’t doing enough to help people who have been displaced through natural disasters like hurricanes or tornadoes. I felt obligated to write back to her and explain that I was not who she thought I was and that I thought her idea was a good one and hoped someone with the means to offer the service would consider it.

It looks like the Occupy Madison organization has begun constructing tiny houses for the city’s homeless population. It is modeled after a similar project in Portland, Oregon that I don’t believe we have heard nearly enough about.



OM Build is operating on a “sweat-equity” model like Habitat for Humanity where owners must work to build their housing. Steve Burns, a Madison College math instructor who has long supported Occupy Madison, is teaching members of the group basic carpentry skills as they put in the required 300 hours of work at the workshop.

It currently appears that the project is subject to a city ordinance that indicates a tiny house on wheels needs to be moved every 48 hours.Organizers believe this will be temporary as they have had several churches express an interest in the project to allow the new tiny homeowners to stay on their property. They also hope that they are able to purchase some land to eventually place the tiny homes and establish a village.

Another eco-village in Olympia Washington, called Quixote Village, was able to earn grant money for their project and even worked with the local government to change ordinances to make the village possible.



It is refreshing to see the tiny house movement used for social justice. I applaud Occupy Madison as well as the communities in Portland and Olympia for working on the issue of homelessness in our country and using tiny homes to make something happen. I hope that more people taken an opportunity to use their skills to help others.

http://tinyhouselistings.com/tiny-houses-for-the-homeless/

================

*****MORE!******

PLUS: EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW ABUT "TINY HOUSES" at THIS LINK:

http://www.planetizen.com/taxonomy/term/1927

[NYC_SKP]

1. It would work for ALL of us if we'd get off our selfish consumerist asses.

Harsh, I know.

GF and I are tiny house advocates, I live in under 1,000 sf and we want to downsize.

Love it.

K/R

[Gormy Cuss]

2. Not ALL of us (kids) but it certainly would be more efficient use of space for many.

I grew up with three adults and six children in a 1200-1300 SF house. The bathroom was the only problem element. Needed a second half bath with all those kids, but we survived otherwise. Yes, kids shared bedrooms and lived.

[NYC_SKP]

3. We kids bathed together. But then we had hot cold running river water, too, and played with dirt.

And coffee cans.

We had just one drinking water tap in the kitchen.

I slept in same bed with grandma, sister and mother slept in one bedroom in twins.

We had a good life.

[cbayer]

14. I love my tiny "house"

She was pulled out of the water today. It was both exciting and really tense.

The wind generator caused a problem and the boat had to be lowered and the wind generator repositioned.

Nail biting.

We use every inch of our space and never wish for more.

It's a wonderful way to live (and off the grid).

Hope you are well. We are loving Mexico.

[NYC_SKP]

15. Buenas noches!

Doing good, still shopping for coastal.

There was a great boat auction at HMB last week while I was in Hawaii, my cousin bought a trawler for $15,000. I gotta go see it.

I'm unsure but tempted...

[cbayer]

20. It's definitely not for everybody.

I love the community, though. We are running into people here that we knew in California. We all seem to following the same circuitous path.

Hope you find what you are looking for.

[NYC_SKP]

46. Big houses and big cars have a price paid by everyone. nt

[pnwmom]

47. There is a radical difference between 64 sq. feet and under 1000.

Do you have children, by the way? Try taking care of a baby in a house of 64 square feet. How do you fit in minimal kitchen and bathroom facilities?

[Blanks]

70. Ikea has a lot of stuff for making small spaces work...

I imagine it would be like living in a camp trailer or a camper on the back of a pickup, or an RV.

It would be much different than 1000 sf, but I think it could be done depending on the things that you consider valuable.

To me, a good nights sleep is among the most valuable things in the world. With the technology available today, you could own a huge bookshelf and keep it in a thumbdrive.

I have a small 8'x8' tool shed in my back yard, and with a pitched roof (so that sleeping quarters could be upstairs, kitchen and bathroom downstairs) I can see someone living in that much space comfortably. Even with an infant or a small child, but it wouldn't be comfortable long term - even with all the Ikea equipment in the world. Much better than sleeping in a cardboard box though.

[Earth_First]

61. My wife amd I will be empty nesters in 3 years...

Our plan is to downsize from 1100 sq. ft. to 5-600 owner/builder situation.

Right now we are in a holding pattern on property due to the location where we want to build is ground zero for the Utica shale bed in New York State.

The verdict is still out in whether or not NYS is going to give the gas industry it's blessing to ravage the countryside.

Glad to hear from someone who's living this dream of ours!

[WinkyDink]

97. The elites would LOVE for us to live like sardines.

[NYC_SKP]

99. There won't be any elites. They'll have all been served up for dinner.

Billions of people have to eat.

[WinkyDink]

125. Is that why Blackwater could control the masses post-Katrina?

[tazkcmo]

128. I like small abodes

I had an apartment that was about 850 sq ft and I really wanted something much smaller. I could live very happily in something like that as all of my belongings fit in a car trunk except my dog but he's not a possession.

[IrishAyes]

4. I'm a big Tiny House fan.

Not for purely altruistic reasons either. There's no way I could afford enough insurance to rebuild my present home, bought as it was at auction and far, far below actual value. So when I started to wonder what would become of me in case of some terrible natural disaster, I started to research tiny homes. To me they'd be far preferable to a condo or townhouse, even though they can be just as little as NYC apartments. After all, it's the natural space buffer that matters far more to me than the size of my dwelling. And I found some incredible designs, too, that are just precious. And I could easily afford to build one of those around 400 sq ft or so with all the needed amenities and plenty of money left over. My favorite design had a built in sleigh bed with a picture window and bookcases at each end. It would make a perfect reading space in the daytime and could be curtained for privacy when needed. What's not to love?

And hey, after a major disaster I'd be grateful for one of the more basic models, just so there's room for a couple dogs.

[Blanks]

71. Have you looked into shipping containers?

http://www.buzzfeed.com/kristinchirico/surprisingly-gorgeous-homes-made-from-shipping-containers?s=mobile

In fact - it seems to me that's where a lot of these small houses should be started. They can be stacked and secured. Instead of waiting for a structure to be constructed. Someone could move into one of these right away and load it on a truck when it needs to be moved.

[IrishAyes]

80. I think I've checked out almost the entire internet by now

But really do like shipping containers and their many advantages. I'll follow the link you so kindly offered as soon as this post is done. For my purposes they could also be attached to a concrete foundation since I am privileged to own a little 1/4 acre plot in town. The only thing that might stop me there is being located in the center of the country, about as far from available shipping containers/ports as might be imagined. Somewhere along the way, however, I might discover a distributor close enough to make it economical to deliver.

Do you know how much snow load they can handle? And what to do about drainage from the roof? Except for summer, it seems if we're not getting rain, it's snowing. My present house has what I call an alpine roof, the steepest in town; in fact, it has 700 feet more square footage than the house footprint. I'd miss it horribly if anything happened, but life suggests that trouble does visit from time to time. I just want to be ready as possible.

One thing I like about the shipping containers is how easy it is to have a wall or two that's entirely glass, sliding doors or fixed. That would be important to feel connected with the outdoors. Imagine such a situation with a charming enclosed patio, well landscaped for privacy as well as beauty. If I'd known all about these things when I first retired, I believe I would've gone Tiny House in the first place. I only live in about 1/4 of my big house anyway. The rest is just storage. I can't even sleep upstairs yet; at first the old chows couldn't climb the steep stairs, and just as soon as I felt sure the next dog was old enough to be trusted overnight, she got a little sister who's not yet reached that stage. If I can use one of the bedrooms by next spring or summer, it will be the first time in 8 years.

[Blanks]

89. The roofs are probably better than trailer houses...

As far as shedding snow and rain. The advantage would be that you could construct a pitched roof over it, if you expect to have problems. I imagine that the roof/ceiling would bend a bit before it collapsed.

I'm not an expert on them, but they seem to be a pretty good value on a square foot basis. If you looked at that web site - they appear to be highly versatile. There are a couple of them around town where someone has converted them to single family residential.

Here's a place that will apparently give a quote based on your location.

http://www.360mobileoffice.com/storage-container-quote.html

[IrishAyes]

91. Thanks!

I'd really like the idea of 3-4 smaller ones arranged in a square, one side open or not, with the patio enclosed between the containers. Then you could leave all the outside walls solid but have the walls facing the patio full glass or at least very large picture windows. The added pitched roof could support the solar panels. I saw one idea where huge built in (or out!) garden pots were all along the outer walls. They could be made any height or width desired to suit an individual's situation. A person in a wheel chair could roll right along a lower type and garden w/o needing to stand.

I like ageing in place designs!

[jmowreader]

105. They'll handle over a hundred tons

This is what they're made for:



They're designed so the load is applied to the perimeter of the container, but the tops are made from nice thick steel. They're waterproof too.

[IrishAyes]

107. Thanks. I know if a roof can support a heavy load, snow's a wonderful insulator.

Every winter when I shovel snow, I pile it up around the roses and such for a good blanket. That's one reason I can grow some things around here that other people swore I never could.

[KamaAina]

5. They're not wheelchair-accessible

the ramp would be the easy part. Fitting a 36"-wide chair in would be the hard part.

[DeSwiss]

19. Some are.....

...and/or can be modified to be more accommodating.

http://tinyhouseblog.com/tiny-house-concept/tiny-hermitage/

Also use site search box: ''wheelchair''

[KamaAina]

30. Sweet!

In that case, making one of those 220-sq.-ft. micro-apartments that are going up in NYC and SF accessible should be a no-brainer.

[Nye Bevan]

27. Good point. A certain proportion should be required to be accessible (nt)

[dionysus]

6. living in a shed... yikes. nt

[nolabear]

7. I can see it. But Seattle has been inundated with "apodments".

They're buildings full of places no bigger than the tiny houses, with shared kitchen facilities. I think it's a horror, largely because they're just barely cheaper than the exorbitant apartments.

And they can cram a building full without parking for them, which can be a serious pain.

I'd adore a tiny house on a little bit of land somewhere, though, as a getaway.

[KoKo]

13. These are Tiny Houses but for individual occupancy.

What you are describing sounds like "low income housing"....but, I've never heard of "shared kitchens" in Low Income State Run Housing. So, perhaps Seattle has a unique system.

[nolabear]

33. I understand Tiny Houses. I've seen them. But the apodments are NOT low income!

I'll look for a link somewhere.

[nolabear]

38. I found an apodment story. 140 square feet, $500 per month and up.

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Tiny-aPodments-causing-big-controversy-in-Seattle--224002631.html

[Jesus Malverde]

76. Pretty crazy, thanks for the link...nt

[lumberjack_jeff]

88. 43 units on a 5000sf lot???

Assuming each resident owns a car, the neighborhood is going to have to absorb 160sf * 43 = 6880sf of parking.

The residents cars collectively take up more real estate than the residents themselves. No wonder the neighbors are pissed.

[pnwmom]

48. Are they sort of like college dorms then? Dorms with suites and cooking

facilities?

[nolabear]

66. Actually a little nicer than dorms, but hardly bigger.

See above link.

[IrishAyes]

87. I found one Japanese multi-purpose furniture design that could fit into just a very few square feet!

It's sort of like a Murphy bed; fold it out one way, you have a bed; another way, a kitchenette; a third way, an office space; etc. And I'll jolly well bet that an enterprising American could look at those pictures and easily make his own.

One thing that a lot of Americans won't like to hear about is an Israeli self-contained toilet that purifies all waste into potable drinking water that's cleaner than anything from a tap. It comes from space technology. If you can get past the cultural barrier, it makes a lot of sense.

[Marrah_G]

8. Hopefully zoning requirements and such won't make these impossible

There might not be running water, but if you are homeless, having a safe and dry place to sleep and keep your clothes is heaven.

[PoliticAverse]

9. Indeed in most places I think building codes and zoning laws would prevent these types

of structures from being built and occupied.

[Marrah_G]

37. It's a sad thing

We live in a society that doesn't even allow the poorest people to have something to stay dry and safe in...the laws would rather have them sleeping on heating grates and benches within sight of the White House. It's pretty messed up.

It's like we say: Sorry, your shelter isn't good enough so you will have to have no shelter at all.

[laundry_queen]

43. Yeah, I was thinking that too.

A century ago, if you were poor, you could build your own house from sticks on a relative's land if need be. Now, all the rules and regulations prohibit self built homes and also, for some reason, these tiny homes - many of which are incredibly well built and absolutely beautiful. It's like the only shelter available is a shitty slumlord apartment if you are poor. And those are far more expensive than they should be which makes them out of reach most people who are homeless. I'd rather have a community of these tiny homes where everyone gets the shelter they deserve.

[PoliticAverse]

55. One way poorer people built their houses was one room at a time as they could afford it...

no mortgages, no debt.

Start with a single room and add on as your family expanded and you had saved up the money for the materials.

[eridani]

60. In the Midwest, the first thing to do was to dig a hole in the ground

Second step, put a roof on it. Third, insulate and install plumbing and utility hookups. Then just move in and save money for framing the house on top of it. I watched this in the 50s with three houses within a few blocks of ours--my parents decided to go the mortgage route. The process took about 5 to 7 years, but then you had a debt free place that was at least as comfortable as what everyone else in town had.

[reddread]

64. common sense solution rarely applied

works very well in the heat of Fresno.
One of our most famous attractions is the Forestiere Underground Gardens.
One of our most famous homeless people is Bruce, the mole man.
sadly, after a number of different locations, he has been severely threatened
against repeating this very good idea

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/secret-underground-home-homeless-mole-man

[druidity33]

62. 'A Pattern Language' and...

'Timeless Way of Building' are 2 of my favorite philosophy/design books that describe the nodal expansion process synergistically. They go all the way from building a shelf or an alcove to designing an entire town... all while examining historical buildings and traditional housing. It's not about being poor, though it involves much less money than traditional construction. It's about conscious 'evolutionary' design. Sounds kooky i know... i think of it as Permaculture without the plants.

[2naSalit]

12. Have to agree

Having been homeless in the past, this would have been a serious improvement. But then, I have lived in semi truck cabs for years at a time, it wasn't until the late 80s early 90s that you could stand up in one or have a place to put your feet when climbing into the driver's seat!. Compared to that, these have lots of room. And sure beats living in the open or in a tent or cardboard box.

If I had the money and lived in a city, I would set up a place where there would be bathing facilities and room for several of these things. Don't know how I would run a place like that but I'm sure I could come up with a doable plan for folks who have no place to go or be and who need safety, warmth, a bed, a place to eat and a place to put a few belongings. It's amazing how just having such basics can improve one's outlook on life.

Come to think of it, they look to be about the size of worker housing in some of the farm country in California back in the 70s and probably earlier. Bet they're of better construction.

Kudos to those who are promoting this and I hope it is a workable concept that could help a lot of people in these times.

[JVS]

10. zoning would kill it in most places. you might be able to put them up in trailer parks.

But if you're already out in the exurban trailer park environment, why not go for something that fills the lot like a shipping container or trailer?

[demigoddess]

11. I've always been a fan

of small houses, and if I had no home, I would love one of these. They just need to be placed in good spots.

[KoKo]

18. Yes...with Open Space and plantings to make it attractive and Community Garden...?

I know it sounds altruistic and "Commune" like. But, as posters up above said...it could work for Single Homeless and give a chance and hope. If they were done carefully with space. Not all homeless would be happy with this...but, many could be and hopefully make it work for them.

Many homeless are mentally ill and those problems are hard to deal with along with drug abusers and folks who just have such severe problems that they are wanderers for whatever reason. Yet, we have more and more homeless who were victims of the Housing Bust and Jobless America. They need a fresh start and just a space to get their senses together. The Newly Homeless are a huge problem. There's hardly a redlight in my former Boom Area in my State that doesn't have a man or woman with a sign asking for help these days. And, many folks don't have close family or friends to help them out.

I'd like to see this work...and agree with others that plots of land adjacent to cities would be a great place to experiment with "open space, community gardens" and sharing.

But...then...I've always been hopeful. Doesn't always work out...but, we should at least try to cope with the growing number of homeless who need that space to get their lives back in some kind of order. At least it's an idea...and for some might work and be a turn around for their future.

[IDemo]

16. These aren't just for the homeless or disadvantaged

There are many who have chosen to live this way because it's an environmentally responsible alternative to huge mansions, or it simply feels more comfortable. Many are built using recycled materials and with energy efficient designs.

[Kaleva]

34. I would feel very comfortable living in such a place.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

17. It's an updated Hooverville.

[jtuck004]

21. When the government values supporting the wealthy on the backs of the working person.

this is what you get.

Except now they have to pay the financiers their monthly blood for what would have been considered shacks back then.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

24. I keep thinking of people I knew who were obsessed with their grand staircase....

You know, so they could look down on the little people visiting below.

[jtuck004]

25. Or the balconey of their investment firm. n/t

[Egalitarian Thug]

56. ...and even at that they are fought against.

I hope that the irony that this glorification of societal collapse is occurring within an easy drive from the greatest concentration of billionaires on earth is not lost on us.

[IrishAyes]

92. Cobbled together shacks and small jewels are 2 entirely different things.

Even the basic emergency shelters, which might be temporary and portable, don't need to look like Hoovervilles at all. Good urban planning can work wonders.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

95. Imagine coming home to discover someone stole your house.

[IrishAyes]

96. Well, I wouldn't be making mine portable.

It would be bolted onto a concrete foundation. Where I marooned myself in retirement, there are few social outlets and zero intellectual stimulation, but not much property crime. The one man who terrorized me into buying a sidearm - an extended Colt 45 double barrel that reminds me for all the world of a sawed off shotgun - is now in the hospital on oxygen and confined to a wheel chair. So nobody would be stealing MY house even though I can't wait to sell that ugly firearm. Don't need it now.

Besides, being retired w/o $ to travel anymore, I'm almost always home.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

101. If the Rich gave a DAMN about PR they would have bought up Detroit to GIVE houses to the poor.

[IrishAyes]

102. Quite true.

But if you're thinking that the Tiny House movement might be a Koch scheme to rook the proles into being satisfied with substandard housing, remember this: McMansions are more profitable for developers to build, and I'd likelier suspect they'd be more interested in shepherding us into houses we obviously can't afford. So the banks can sell them who knows how many times afterward for even more obscene profits.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

114. Every so often I look in at Realtor.com at properties back east....

The "woodwork" these days is basic white trim and the kitchen cabinets are all laminated particle board. The walls are all texture painted an off a beige color designed suck out your soul.

It's nice to look inside those old homes built 70+ years ago with the custom built in cabinetry with beveled or stained glass doors. Then there's the maple or mahogany trim and doors with the old skeleton key locks. A little modern wiring, central air and good insulation and those places would be fantastic. The trouble is the vulture bankers and realtors often stripped all of the good stuff out. The old iron claw foot tubs have been replaced with a fiberglass shower stall/tub combo. The toilets are all the cheapest ones at Home Depot. Sometimes they'll even rip out an ornate window and board up the opening. I saw one place in Akron, Ohio that was still intact with a gilded ceiling in the dining room and the crystal chandelier was still there. It had a bay window and window box too.

It was selling for $12k.

[IrishAyes]

116. Good grief.

At least ten different families in town had brief stays in my home before I bought it at auction, and I had the worst time not behaving homicidal when they'd come and brag to me about what they'd done to 'improve' the place. I suppose they expected me to lavish praise on them for the atrocities they'd committed, but the best I could do was to mumble something about everybody having different decorating tastes. Truth is, it was all hideous when new. At least since it was falling apart by the time I got here, I have some cover for getting rid of stuff as fast as possible.

That's one strange thing I discovered; people seemed angry at times when they saw me getting rid of what they'd done. It offended them. When one couple with an antique store brought me some furniture and I made the mistake of saying the whole place has to be rennovated, they chided me severely - "It's been good enough for other people to live in!" I guess, if you like falling plaster, hideous paint, even worse carpeting, and almost worst of all, wallpaper borders! then yeah, it was a great place when I got here. There was the first model furnace Lennox ever built, about to blow up; rooms with no electricity, original window glass so fragile you couldn't wash it, holes in the walls, you name it. Don't even talk about the roof! Etc.

Either people were angry because they were jealous that I outbid everyone or angry because they still considered it their house; I don't know what. But it was weird. And all I did was grit my teeth and smile.

All the original doors remained, but for kitchen cabinet hardware I've used 2 sets of art deco hardware I took off a couple dressers found at curbside one Big Trash Day. Stuff like that. I'm good with recycling and repurposing. Partitioned long-legged laundry tubs painted green and turned into planters, backed against a shed clad with barn red metal roof panels, with a piece of white lattice slipped between them for contrast.

I found out fences are considered a slap in the face too, but what was I to do with 2 big chows? It's a whole different world here. Even with my thrifty ways, I've had to plow at least $40K into the place to make it livable, and I'm hardly halfway through. People didn't just let this place go to pot, they almost ruined it with their supposed improvements. Can you imagine cheap commercial carpet GLUED over hardwood floors???? Even the Amish contractors couldn't understand why I had to have those 'nice' lowered ceilings ripped out and raised back to their original 12'. Etc etc. I've circled the wraparound porch with lattice now; next summer comes gingerbread, I hope.

However, I was pleased with one couple visiting from Vermont. They came to see my house and said it made them homesick because it looks "so New England". I could've kissed their feet.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

117. I saw a Victorian in Battle Creek that they couldn't even sell for $7k become an empty lot....

Latitude 42°19'13.99"N Longitude 85°10'2.26"W

C/P into google maps: 42.320654,-85.167445

The street view still shows the house.

I went to the local library website and found there was a photo survey done in the 40s.

Here's what it looked like in it's prime:



http://dspace.willardlibrary.org/handle/123456789/47112?show=full

[IrishAyes]

118. Thanks, I saved the picture.

No explaining why I love old houses, but I do.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

120. Maybe it goes back to Lady and the Tramp....

Now THAT place had detail.

[IrishAyes]

121. Indeed.

I don't need that much gingerbread, but I want at least some, with fishscale siding under the gables.
Another project for next year is a passive solar exhaust fan for the attic. Northern Tools has one you can just use in place of the soffit and it doesn't need wiring.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

122. I've thought it would be cool to wire a solar battery bank to power antique wall sconces with LEDs..

A lot of these places were piped for gas lighting.

Our ancestors got by with a LOT less light and LED technology is improving.

[KauaiK]

22. Kauai is recycling shipping containers

into houses with garden roofs. They are building some now at Kauai Community College. Kauai Rocks!

[PasadenaTrudy]

67. Love Kauai!

I was just there in Sept. I go every year for a week. So hard to leave, but I always know I'll be back

[Ace Acme]

23. Conestoga Hut; Eugene, Oregon

http://www.opportunityvillageeugene.org/2012/12/the-conestoga-hut.html

The 6 by 10 foot shelter can be built for between $250 and $500 depending on the utilization of re-used or donated materials. While this is a similar price to a quality tent, the Conestoga makes significant improvements upon the tent – most notably a highly insulated and lockable space – while minimizing the cost, skill and labor required by a more conventional, four-walled structure. These economical and functional shelters can be instrumental in the transition from camp to village.

There are four components to a Conestoga hut: a basic 6 by 10 foot insulated floor, two solid, insulated walls in the front and back, and a metal wire roof that is curved to connect to the long sides of the floor. The roofing frame is then covered with insulation and outdoor vinyl that is attached to the base of the structure.

The result is a structure that resembles the Conestoga wagons used during early American westward expansion. The components of the shelter can then be easily assembled or disassembled on site and transported with ease.

[Kaleva]

32. A good plan for a camp!

[Nye Bevan]

26. Why not? I've lived in shoebox-sized apartments.

If it was just me, I would have been fine in one of these structures. This could be the perfect thing to break the vicious cycle of "homeless because I can't get a job" - "can't get a job because I'm homeless".

[dreamnightwind]

28. K & R, very cool

These things are being built and used in my neck of the woods. I think it's a great idea, depends on one's life circumstances whether it works for them, as does any house. I'm no expert on zoning laws, but I think in our area you can build small mother-in-law type guest cottages behind a main house with minimal hassle from the county, and you can also build these things on wheels so they are treated as RV's.

Personally I love the idea. Most of us have way too much of everything and should simplify. It's also easier to be independent without being tied to a soul-sacrifice job just to pay for housing and utilities. Uses less resources, good for the planet. YMMV of course.

http://littlehouseonthetrailer.com/gallery/

[Beacool]

29. Sorry, too small.

I got stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=MvgN5gCuLac#t=161

[dionysus]

69. i could fill that tiny thing with just my musical equipment.

but for someone homeless its a different story.

[Beacool]

72. Of course, I was just being flippant.

If I had no home, I would be more than grateful to have a "tiny house", but I got too much stuff. Where would I put my bankie collection?



BTW, I love that Carlin skit and I tried to post the actual video, not the link. Youtube changed some settings. I'm no longer sure which is the correct way to upload a video. Do you happen to know?

[dionysus]

73. i thought you just copied the youtube link from the browser?

yeah, you need to build one of those out back just for the old bankies! but seal them in plastic bags, otherwise you'll need to use moth balls and I doubt you want your bankies to smell like moth balls.

[Beacool]

108. When I right click on the video there are three choices.

I tried all three and only got a link. It doesn't matter.

[IrishAyes]

81. Could it be instead that stuff has you?

[Beacool]

109. I was kidding, but I do have plenty of stuff.

I have to learn to let go.

[IrishAyes]

113. Well, since my income peaked and tanked partly due to one of the businesses I had -

horse ranching - I had to learn to conserve even when things looked flush. The downside to that was a terrible resistance to letting anything go. Now that I'm retired, I'm starting to clean out. Would you please tell me what ANY woman needs with 48 scrub tops, no matter how pretty they are? I never bought the medical prints but some of the others can be attractive for regular wear. Since I'll live here until I die, there's zero chance I'll ever need evening or business clothes again, so what am I doing with that stuff no matter how pretty? With a local clothes closet selling good used donated clothing, some of brand new with tags still on, for 10 cents, I can't even tell myself better keep this because so you'll always have something nice to wear when the other stuff wears out. Can't claim I couldn't afford to replace a decent wardrobe for $10 tops.

After long study about it, here's what I've decided I basically need for my life now: 2 weeks worth of undies, 3 or 4 pair of jeans, 5 or 6 shorts with pockets, 7 winter tops, 7 summer tops, 7 transitional tops, 5 or 6 skirts, and a few casual dressy outfits for church. Plus a funeral dress for winter and summer. 5 pair of sneakers, 5 pair of boots, 5 crocs, and 1 or 2 dressy flats. 2 coats, 2 jackets, assorted winter accessories like hats, gloves and scarves. The list could still be culled.

No way I'm keeping 48 scrub tops, even with a big house.

[burnsei sensei]

31. I like this idea.

I seem to remember that in the mid-20th century, there was an acute housing shortage and many people were living in shipping containers and kwonset huts.
We need to do something about homelessness that is better than the band-aids we've been using for the last 30 years.

[Blue_In_AK]

35. I lived in a tiny house for about eight months

when my oldest daughter was a baby. It was a 12 x 12 guest house of some friends of mine. It worked out fine for me for that little bit of time, but I think I might have needed a few more amenities as my child got older. For a single person, though, I think it's fine.

[ErikJ]

36. Looks like they used pallets for the walls.

Good idea. Harder to insulate though probably.

[IrishAyes]

85. Blown in insulation.

[NuclearDem]

39. Room enough for a mattress, kitchen, and a TV? Works for me.

My main concern is security, though.

Still, it looks like a great idea, and given the size, it looks like a solar energy investment would be work great.

[ErikJ]

40. I have a guy living in my backyard shed

And he lives in a 4 man tent inside the 12x16 shed. He's lived there for almost 6 years now! He has put several layers of plastic and blankets over the tent to keep the heat in. He has free heat, free cable TV, free electricity water and garbage etc. Just does some work aournd the yard to pay for it. I actually bought a 14 x 8 ft trailer to move into 2 years ago but he still hasnt! One thing that has made it work is that he never comes into the house for anything. He seems happy with his beautiful dog out there. And he is a cable TV addict.

[Victor_c3]

79. Some people just don't need a lot of junk to be happy

Actually, most of us probably don't need a lot of junk to be happy but few people actually realize it. I'd imagine living like that must be very liberating.

[SoapBox]

41. Hmmmm...

I'm sure the 1% really would like the 99% to live like this.

[DesertFlower]

42. my friend is not homeless.

he's a paralegal and makes $63,000 a year, but rents in NY and the boroughs are very high. for the past few years he's been living in a guest house (he calls it a cottage) on staten island. it's very small -- approximately 10x15 not including the small kitchen and bathroom. he pays $600 a month which includes utilities. he loves it. he's made it work. built a loft bed with storage underneath. has a full size sofa and some small furniture. he's working on making it function even better. said he'll never go back to apartment living. it's like his own little house.

[LeftyMom]

44. Something like that would be perfectly miserable in Sacramento most of the year, if not dangerous.

It's insanely hot in the summer and rainy and cold enough that you'd need heat in the winter. It is illegal to rent housing without working AC here for a reason, and that reason is that it's hot enough here that people die in the heat.

Essentially those things are tiny, uninsulated cabins. And there's a reason that all of the local campsites are uphill or toward the coast- it's too damned hot to live like that for our entire summer, and a good portion of our spring and fall. And I'd sure like to hear where these things would be placed that doesn't flood in the winter.

[Marrah_G]

54. What is even more miserable is no shelter at all.

[LeftyMom]

110. Yes, but that thing would kill people in our heat.

It's routinely over 100 in the summer, not infrequently over 105, and the highest temperature I recall was 119. We have weeks long stretches where the overnight low is at least 80.

Those things would kill people in that weather.

They're literally less safe than nothing, because open air or a tent isn't going to get hotter than the ambient air in the same way.

[Liberal_in_LA]

49. those are lovely lil homes

[struggle4progress]

50. I think tiny houses are really cute, and I really adore the aesthetics of some designs -- but

there's really no way most people would find them habitable, these "buildings" can't be made energy efficient enough for my tastes, and I can't see how they could pass most modern codes

They might be great for people who really want that life style, and some variants well might fit into a co-housing community where people share a common kitchen

They don't seem to me a good solution to the problem of providing low-income housing or really helping the homeless

[Dems to Win]

51. So many empty houses in America-- the homeless could be housed without new construction

As far as these places go, a real house must have a bathroom. Everyone poops.

You would never be able to get these places permitted until you can provide sanitary facilities.

Once you start connecting tiny homes to the sewer, they suddenly aren't very cheap anymore.

Housing has to include bath and kitchen facilities, or else it's just a storage space.

[IrishAyes]

84. I've seen plenty of Tiny House designs that included all facilities; at least a shower, often a bath

Not the basic designs, of course. But then I'm not homeless or landless either, and I'd be able to afford to put up a full service solar system for power. Since sewer lines already go to my present house, that wouldn't be a huge extra cost either. With proper insulation and solar power, a Tiny House CAN be a little palace. With all the technology, we don't really need separate libraries in our homes. If you love solitude and you're getting older, you don't necessarily need a grand dining room either, or sleeping for 10. I saw one darling design with a built in sleigh bed in front of a window. It's just that no square inch of space is wasted. None at all. So long as there's no sleeping loft ladder to deal with, it could be heavenly for an older person. I love my big 100-yr-old Queen Anne, but if meets some terrible fate, I could still have a happy, comfortable, secure life in a Tiny (as in 400-500 sq. ft.) House. And I'd still be grateful with less if necessary. Just no imaginable need to be.

[SheilaT]

52. These make sense if you have absolutely no stuff.

I have my wedding china, lots of photographs, many things from my earlier life. I could not possibly live in so tiny a space.

When I was much younger I lived for seven years in an efficiency apartment that was under 400 square feet. It worked for me at that point in my life. At this point, I have stuff I'm not willing to give up. I currently live in about 950 square feet, and I keep on trying to figure out what I can get rid of. But I read, I crochet, I embroider. I do things that involve stuff.

Recently a man I'd just met said he and his wife had recently moved from about 2500 sq ft to over 4,000 sq ft, and I will say that all I could think of was: Why do you need that much house?

[bluedeathray]

57. They need to build these things out of

Something besides wood.

Recycled paper, or hemp come to mind. But doubtless there are many alternatives to trees.

Great idea. Easy for people. Easy on the environment. Immediate sense of pride in ownership... Heck yeah!

[mopinko]

75. cob

http://www.thiscobhouse.com

[Warpy]

58. I lived in a single wide trailer

and managed to cram 2 floor looms into it. I didn't have a whole lot of space to walk around those looms when I needed to fix things, but by golly, I could weave. I also had a living room that civilians found comfortable plus a wee room with a single futon where I'd bunk when I had visitors staying there. I loved that thing, there was a place for everything. The only reason I moved is because it was so far from work.

That's my only problem with wee housing, my hobbies. As I get older and more decrepit, I'll probably sell the big looms and downsize everything else. I would love to get to the point I could live in a Tumbleweeds house.

http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/

[RebelOne]

83. I live in a single-wide mobile home now.

It is 10 by 40 feet, with two bedrooms, one bath, living room and kitchen. Fortunately, I have an attached garage, which is used mainly for storage. My car has only been in a few times because there is no room for it now. But there is only me and my Chihuahua and we have plenty of room. At one time, I also had a Rottweiler (who is now in doggy heaven), but there was still a lot of room for her.

[reddread]

59. yep a million ways to skin that cat

http://kvpr.org/post/what-happened-people-displaced-fresnos-homeless-camp-destructions

[JesterCS]

63. I've told my father

for years, to buy one of those nice sheds from Lowes/Home Depot and just run some electric to it for me. Id totally Sleep/Use it as a house.

[tridim]

65. I could definitely do it, but I'd need a yard or shared commons for the dog.

I used to dream about designing these things when I was an architect. Something that small presents a good opportunity for hand-crafting, which is becoming a lost art in this country.

[ladyVet]

68. I think it's a good idea that people are thinking about better solutions.

But as it's been noted, there are plenty of empty buildings/houses all over the country that could be utilized. Where and how are these things going to be set up? What about toilet/bathing facilities? Will those have to be built as well?

I live with my three sons in less than 1100 square feet, have lived here for over twenty years now. It's a single wide trailer that is now on land that will be paid off in two years. Yes, it's cramped. The boys really need bigger rooms, but with the economy and other issues, I don't see us being able to upgrade any time soon.

While I love looking at those tiny houses, there's no way I could get up those ladders to sleep!

[TBF]

74. I will not rest until the Waltons and Koch's are living in them.

Seriously. Multiple mansions for them and outhouses for us? No thank you. Fuck them.

[WinkyDink]

98. EXACTLY. THANK YOU. Some people aren't grasping that this is what the 1% WANT for us: NO

DECENT NEIGHBORHOODS. NO DECENT HOMES FOR FAMILIES. NO BELONGINGS (LIKE, SAY, BOOKS).

[duffyduff]

112. That's why I rail against "ebooks," downloads in lieu of owning physical media.

The powers that be want us to fucking RENT everything by charging us user fees for virtual content, for example, which you NEVER own.

They are pulling this shit with computer tablets by peddling convenience while charging us rent for storing information. And people fall for this shit.

People can be such stupid sheep, but that would be insulting sheep, and I don't want to do that.

Itty-bitty houses are another damned scam.

What's next, cardboard "houses" and shanties?

[IrishAyes]

124. It's my understanding at least that when you download an ebook,

if you then offload it to a thumb drive it's safe from the dispenser yanking it back. Yes/No?

Since I can buy books at the local library 5/$1 and similar at yard sales etc., in 8 years I've amassed more physical library than I'll probably ever get around to reading. Especially since I spend so much of my free time on DU! Older books, the kind I usually prefer, can be downloaded for free from some websites. That seems to be the way to go now that I have so many hard copies stored in every nook and cranny I can find in this big old house. They're under the buffet, the dining room table, everywhere you look. I need to start going free digital and soon.

[WinkyDink]

127. You are me! OMG, books, books, everywhere, nor any place to read! Haha! I'll read them in my next

life, I always say!

[IrishAyes]

129. Not much in life's more beautiful than a book.

I remember in the movie 'Farenheit 451' my favorite scene was at the trailer in the woods where the dissident lived; seems every square inch of the walls was covered with books, and I thought to myself, that's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

[WinkyDink]

126. Wait until everything is in a "cloud".

[duffyduff]

77. This is NOT an "alternative" and is downright unhealthy.

What we are seeing is propaganda that is trying to con more and more people of marginal means into smaller and smaller spaces, just like in third world countries. Having been in a situation of living in small spaces, no fucking thanks.

Stop peddling this garbage, please. This is NOT any kind of valid alternative.

[lumberjack_jeff]

86. I think there's an element of overcorrection and escape fantasy going on here.

40 years ago most new houses were 600-900sf. Now they're 3500sf because people appraise the value of houses on a fucked up standard of value = dollars per square foot.
People don't occupy "square feet" we occupy rooms. If a 900sf house has the number of rooms that your family requires, then it's perfectly adequate. There's little functional difference between a 1200sf 8 room house and a 3000sf 8 room house.

[Hippo_Tron]

100. Yea I agree with you lumberjack_jeff

I grew up in a relatively spacious 2 story house because my parents could afford it I make decent money, but odds are I won't do as well as my parents and I live in a place where property values are a lot higher than where I grew up. So I have no problem raising my own kids (if I have them) in a much smaller one story house. But it is important to me that they have their own bedrooms if at all possible, because I think that everyone needs "their" space even if it's not huge. And I don't think I could deal with having more than 2 kids, so that shouldn't be too hard to manage.

[IrishAyes]

94. So those of us who might PREFER a small home in order to remain independent as we age,

for instance, have no business violating your narrow-minded notions?????

[TBF]

104. That's not the point -

I think many of us would do just fine living in smaller houses. The point is that the very wealthy want all of us in ghettos while they live in multiple mansions around the world. It's fine if it is seriously a personal choice. It's not ok if it's forced austerity.

[IrishAyes]

106. Agreed.

Even though my present house is quite large, and I hope to keep it, what I love most is that it's paid for and the property taxes are low and rebated at my age and income. (Let's see how long that lasts if this state gets any redder.) I can thumb my nose at almost anybody I want to, and I don't have to take a lot of guff from any of them. Sometimes it can be hard to find a workman to do what has to be done around here beyond my capability, because they assume my $ is tainted somehow by my politics. But I manage one way or another, and my relative independence doesn't do much to shut my mouth.

What I have is what a lot of people crave - comparative independence from the Iron Heel. The less you have, the less demands vulture capitalists can make of you because then how much do they really have to threaten you with?

[TBF]

115. I can see that point as well

And it really is a good one. In fact it's something many Republicans overlook at their own peril - if they take away everything than we have nothing left to be afraid of losing. And that is when folks will raise up against them.

[Nevernose]

119. One of the few posts where I agree with virtually everyone

If it weren't for my wife and child and three dogs, I could/would happily live in one.

It's not a legitimate solution to homelessness.

There are plenty of apartments in Paris not this nice.

The wealthy prefer the proletariat to live in tiny houses.

All of this is true, and all of this I agree with.

[TBF]

103. Austerity for the masses while the kings have their castles -

kings of capitalism that is - no thank you. I can't believe how many people fall for this garbage.

[duffyduff]

111. +1,000,000

This propaganda makes me utterly sick to my stomach because it is obvious what the motive is.

[Locrian]

78. Looks neat but...

Honest question because I'd like to know....

A lot of the shipping container houses look like they are on a decent amount of land or in the rural settings. Which means driving etc right? Unless of course you live off grid etc. A ton of these all packed together in a more urban center doesn't seem quite as attractive as the beautiful pics of some of them.




So would some sort of new design apartment complex be more efficient? With considerations for common space, efficiency, noise ( you don't want to hear your neighbor breathing) etc. Vs the 'pack em in ' mentality of the current apartment pod complex's?

[Jesus Malverde]

82. Tiny homes

Kirsten Dirksen a great videographer has put 100 videos of tiny homes online.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL07EC797A2E900CFC

Here is one of the more popular ones.

[questionseverything]

90. we used to have plenty of public housing

and that is what we need again

[FreeJoe]

93. My family of four lives in 90 sq ft

But that's only when we are camping. Most of the time we live in a house and we prefer that. We could definitely live in a smaller place (and have in the past), but our preference is not to.

[mwrguy]

123. Much better than no house.