![]() ![]() Tiny houses on wheels are a hybrid structure. Some residents have now transitioned to their new, beautiful Emerald Village, a low-cost permanent tiny home community. Opportunity Village Eugene is a micro-transitional community for those experiencing homelessness. They address the missing rungs of our American shelter and housing through their two kinds of villages. SquareOne Villages provides an excellent example. There is a place for these as a stop-gap measure to help get people out of dire situations. A “tiny shelter” or “tiny shelter community” implies transitional and temporary. We, as advocates, can stress the durable, quality-built nature. Opportunity Village Eugene, micro-transitional shelter communityĪ “tiny house” or “tiny house community” has permanence. To best win the support of our communities for any tiny house project or regulation, we need to be clear with our terms and intentions. Our country desperately needs to create more shelter and housing for those experiencing homelessness. My intention is not to look down upon tiny shelters for the homeless, but to ensure they are each accurately represented. When we confuse these two terms, it waters down the meaning of a tiny house as a full-time home. If a structure lacks any of these items, then the term “tiny shelter”, or “micro shelter” should be used. A “tiny house” is a fully-functional dwelling with a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping areas. ![]() To create clarity in our tiny structure terminology, I think it’s essential to avoid mixing up terms relating to temporary shelter and full-time dwellings. Neither are they as homey, as a modern tiny house. Though, it is true that RVs and mobile homes are historically not durable long-term, even the most expensive motor-homes. It’s a way to help tiny dwellers pursue their financial and/or lifestyle goals. Not a brand-new concept but definitely one that is picking up steam. ![]() Living in less expensive, or smaller structures of any kind is an intentional choice by a myriad of Americans. The idea that a neighbor would reject societal norms by embracing a strange kind of home makes some uncomfortable. Understanding why someone would choose to live tiny is mind-boggling for so many, even if they like the “shows”. All of this plays a significant factor in the misconceptions around tiny housing in general. And there’s the fear of people taking resources away from you and your family, safety concerns, and negative impacts on property values. It’s a complicated cycle, immensely difficult to escape.įear seems to be at the core of the stigma around the topic. I reject the idea that poverty is directly caused by personal failings. It is understandably tough to wrap your head around what causes it and how it affects personal development. Additionally, there are many side effects from the lack of access to opportunities. Poverty is a complex issue, including institutional aspects. And because of this, basically, having less material wealth, these folks have been looked down upon from the start. Historically, poor Americans moved into mobile homes because they couldn’t afford middle-class suburban homes. And people living in RVs or manufactured houses, are all too often considered “trailer trash.” While easily placed at RV parks and mobile home communities, finding your own land with no restrictions can be legally limiting. In my opinion, these kinds of homes on wheels should be accepted as dwellings. In the custom RV world, including widely popular school bus conversions, the quality of materials sky-rockets. Unfortunately, there are too many RVs with toxic materials, like formaldehyde that cause an array of upper respiratory symptoms, trigger asthma, and breathing problems. ![]() Does it mean they are automatically unsafe? Nope. Does that mean the quality of materials and construction is up to snuff with residential building codes? Nope. Tens of thousands of people live full-time in RVs and travel trailers despite the “recreational” classification. Recreational vehicles are only intended for short term stays right? Also, any structure on wheels is often seen as only temporary. Ease of mobility is all too closely related to transiency, bringing up creepy connotations for many the traditional home dweller. The term “tiny house on wheels” can be a source of considerable misunderstanding. ![]()
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