"Tiny" houses may be ok for one (or two?) people, but not families of 3 or more.
Other factors that have to be considered are:
1. Will cities create zones where very small lot sizes can be purchased? Or will the owners be required to locate in mobile home type parks?
2. What will property tax rates be for tiny house lots?
3. Will cities require connection to sewer and water utilities? (My understanding is that many tiny houses use composting toilets which cities may not allow?
4. Will children who reside in tiny houses be ridiculed or otherwise harassed by classmates who reside in larger houses in "normal" neighborhoods?
5. How will residing in a tiny house affect the self-esteem of children as they grow up?
6. How will people who want to reside in a tiny house finance loans for construction, assuming their income level is such that lending agencies will not make loans to them? Or will leftist politicians once again promise to increase taxes on the rich to pay for the tiny houses?
I'm certain there are many more questions that need to be answered before tiny houses can be considered as a solution to affordable housing.
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Larry Whitlock AIA
Independent Architectural Specifications Consultant
Pflugerville TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-30-2015 18:11
From: Ming Hu
Subject: Tiny houses as solution to affordable housing
Intersting point! It will be good to find out the $/per sqt comparing to average housing cost. Some tiny houses in DC cost $300/sqt, that's not affordable....
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Ming Hu AIA
Director, Academic Engagement
The American Institute of Architects
Washington DC
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