Last
night I went to a presentation at our public library about a young lady that
built a tiny house and is has been residing in it for two years now. Her home is quite lovely and she if very
proud of her accomplishment, as she very well should be.
A
lot of people showed up last night, many more than I had expected and she was
quite surprised by the turnout too. It
is nice to see so many interested in this alternative housing and to embrace
the idea of scaling back and minimizing our footprint.
I
was hoping to hear that strides are being made to encourage tiny homes in Boise
but it appears that that has yet to happen.
Currently it is illegal to reside in a tiny home within the city limits
for more than five days. They are
treated the same as a recreational vehicle and therefore must follow the same
rules.
While
I reside just outside the city limits on an established and permitted RV pad I
don't have to worry about violating any regulations, but for those now living
in tiny homes, most set up in back yard spaces that they rent from homeowners,
it would be a constant concern. All it
would take to face an eviction is a report from a disgruntled neighbor.
Larger
metropolitan areas are beginning to see the merit in these homes and are now
allowing them into their cities. Boise
may need a lot of encouragement to get on board and I doubt that will happen
anytime soon. Currently the big push
from citizens in our fair city is to stop developers from pushing over dumpy
old houses and erecting "skinny homes" in their place. In my opinion they are another version of
tiny house living, on a larger scale of course, and a big improvement in many
of the neighborhoods they now stand in.
 |
| A row of "skinny" homes |
I
personally would love to see someone take a chunk of land and turn it into a
tiny home community where people can bring their tiny homes and set up a mini
homestead. As one woman suggested in the
audience last night it would be the perfect alternative for seniors who want to
downsize but not into an apartment.
Perhaps in time that will happen.
Or perhaps in time I can make that happen.
We live on the bench in a small home built in the early '70s, right between two skinny houses. There about 8 other skinny houses on the block. My major problem with them is that they are mostly rentals. It feels like living in an apartment community. People come and go, there are loud parties, and occasionally someone pukes on the sidewalk in front of our house. The houses are 2-story, so it's usually younger people who rent them because they don't mind the stairs. That being said, I like the idea of tiny homes. I just wish we had options that catered to families and the older generation.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a moratorium put on how many rentals one can have in a neighborhood. Too many and it spoils it. I had the same thing happen in my neighborhood. That is why I bailed.
DeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteWe live in a small apartment right now (650 SF). I'd always wanted a tiny house, but after the past 3 years in this apartment, we've decided we want a bit more space. We're moving to a different state and just bought a house (~1000 SF) and are SUPER excited to have a house that is "just right" for us. Some of my family is appalled that we're not buying an enormous house in the suburbs, but that would be too much house for us.
I love reading about tiny houses. I think they'd be great vacation homes, too.
- molly
Congratulations on your new home! I'm sure it is perfect for you. Good things come in small packages. :) I also think tiny homes would make great cabins.
DeleteI too am fascinated by these fun tiny homes. I know if I ever built one it would be more for a guest home on our property, but I still love the idea. Right now we are pushing our limits in our tiny home of 780 sf home with 5 people. It has been a little while since I have blogged, but I blog about our experience at
ReplyDeletehttp://talesofdomestica.blogspot.com/p/100-debt-free.html
Right now 780 sf sounds HUGE. :) I will have to check out your blog. Thanks!!
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