It doesn’t matter where you go in the US, the need for affordable housing is forcing communities and local government officials to “look the other way” when presented with a tiny-house planned community.
At first, these communities were being promoted for the homeless in order to get them off the streets. Then tiny house communities began being more transitional housing for people forced to find new apartments. Today, these small, usually under 400 sq ft, homes are finding a new life as permanent residences for people looking for affordable housing.
Most of the cities on the West Coast have put in many tiny house villages, sometimes skirting around building codes. Almost all of them have community-shared kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries. Some even have community centers so people can socialize.
The concern of some within the neighboring areas is that these are no longer considered a stop-gap solution for the homeless and others but it is a path to permanent occupancy. Neighbors are concerned these villages and their inhabitants will soon spread out into adjacent areas where schools, parks, and other public places where children play.
In San Jose, CA, tiny homes are being hailed as a fix to a growing homelessness crisis. But two policymakers are saying the sites in their districts won’t work.
The City Council this week voted 8-2 to approve a plan that would add 400 transitional homes, as the region’s housing crisis continues to push more people onto the streets. Councilmembers David Cohen and Matt Mahan voted no on the plan.
Under the plan, San Jose will expand two existing projects to add a total of 120 more homes and develop two new sites—each with 100 homes—in Districts 4 and 10 this year. The city is also looking to develop 80 homes at two other locations next year. The decision will double the city’s inventory of tiny homes for unhoused people. San Jose already has 397 homes at five locations. Tiny homes are much faster—and cheaper—to build compared to a traditional homes.
But Cohen opposes the plan to build new tiny homes at the city’s proposed site in North San Jose because the neighborhood has been left out of the planning process.
“It’s more important to do this right than to do it quickly,” Cohen told San José Spotlight, noting he’s disappointed the city only focused on one location in District 4. “There were many feasible sites in the district and (city officials) didn’t come forward with any options other than a site that they had floated to the community years ago that received vigorous opposition.”
The chosen site, at 14630 Noble Ave., is lodged between two elementary schools and steps away from the Berryessa library and Noble Park. Neighbors vehemently opposed the site for tiny homes when it was proposed in 2015. Cohen wanted the city to solicit community feedback before approving the project.
The current need to house the homeless and also provide affordable housing in many cities will find many lawmakers giving approvals for tiny house villages without listening to the other people, the surrounding neighbors, a voice in what happens.
Fires, theft, drugs, and violence are already finding their way into homeless villages.
If these villages are either converted to affordable housing or new villages are built exclusively for affordable housing, will they continue to have shared kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries?
Something has to be done and people from all walks of life are trying to solve the homeless and affordable housing. There are associations, non-profits, churches, and local housing authorities trying their best to help but honestly, is living in a tiny wooden or plastic box the best we can do?
We can do better!
Related Articles:
Fire Destroys Part Of Tiny House Homeless Village – Video
Wisconsin Winter Could Prove Challenging For Tiny House Village
Georgia Tiny House Village Awaits Fire Marshal Approval
Gary Fleisher is the Editor in Chief of Modular Home Source and Offsite Builder. Email at [email protected]
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