There is a new housing movement spreading fast across America. It is based on a desire to cut back on high utility bills and large amounts of possessions to live a more meager, but greener, life. It all started when folks began to consider just how much they were having to work to pay off and maintain their large houses. Fed up with having no time for family or friends, they searched for a better way to live a simpler life that wouldn't strain their wallets to the breaking point. But for those who have never stepped inside a tiny house, it can be hard to understand what it is really like to live in one. Read on for a few examples of their features that are are so unique that you might just consider getting one for yourself. No Wasted Space …show more content…
So they are even smaller than the average efficiency apartment is. Because of this, every inch of them is designed with space-saving features. Drawers and cabinets are put in unusual places to ensure that items can be still be stored properly. The doors slide into crevices in the walls. And there are no extra gaps between the appliances. Many of them even include overhead storage areas similar to an attic. Composting Toilets Some tiny houses have no bathrooms at all, but this causes the homeowner to have to be dependent on using the toilet somewhere else. Because of this, many have started to add features that make hygiene at home a little bit easier, such as the composting toilet. This toilet isn't directly connected to a sewer line. Instead, it allows waste to break down in an attached container that has to be emptied occasionally. Open Living Quarters In a tiny house, all of the rooms flow together. If there is a bathroom, it is usually partitioned off with a small door or curtain though. But for the most part, all of the space is completely open. This makes decorating a lot easier because the same colors and patterns can be continued throughout the home. But for those who are used to having more privacy, not having individual rooms can be a bit difficult to handle at
Lastly, housing first is an approach that emphasizes stable, permanent housing as a primary strategy for ending homelessness. ( “Housing First”, n.d.) An evaluation of this strategy in San Francisco found that the number of people living on the streets dropped by 41 percent in three years. More than 1,000 units of "permanent supportive housing" were established, and, of those who moved into such units, 95 percent remained housed. (Chamard, 2010)
One fundamental principle of the Tiny House Movement is that less equals more. Furthermore, the less space one acquires, his or her expenditures will likewise be lessened. By downsizing, owners "allot[s] one-third to one half of their income for the next 15 years for mortgage payments" (Maglalang 31). Due to the affordability, this comfortable style of living has become available to most citizens in the United States. Life in a tiny house provides a viable shelter that can accommodate all, even the underprivileged (Priesnitz 12).
Although every one are employed, at least some of the time, any one may often find it difficult to save enough money for a deposit on a rental property. As a consequence, some minimum-wage workers end up in living situations that are actually more pricey than a month-to-month rental. For instance, some minimum-wage workers rent rooms in week-to-week motels. According to Ehrenreich, “Given a few days or weeks more to look, maybe I could have done better. But the meter is running at the rate of $59 a day for my digs at the 6, which are resembling a Ballard creation more every day.” (Ehrenreich, 57) In other words, Ehrenreich knows these motel rooms tend to cost a much more than a traditional rental, but are accessible to the minimum-wage workers since a large deposit is not a requirement. If a person is unable or unwilling to pay for a room in a motel, some might live in his or her car, in a homeless shelter, or even on the street. Or as Morgan and his fiancee Alex, who settled on a $325 dollars a month in a renovated crack den (literally) that allowed them to pay the deposit over a few months, only with $300 dollars in savings, this was their best option. Minimum-wage workers who cannot afford a stable home, but might be able to afford a car, or vise versa, cannot afford a car, but be able to afford a house, adopt
Downs has sought to dispel myths surrounding housing policy. The first myth he debunks is the myth that all government-sponsored urban policies have failed. Downs believes that although they had resulted in greater hardships for poorer neighborhoods, the policies have given great benefits to a majority of urban American families. While he does not consider these policies to be a complete success, he refuses to call them failures due to the fact that they did indeed improve the standard of living for most of urban America. Downs also calls to our attention the effect of housing policies on the number of housing units. Starting in 1950, housing policies were aimed at ending the housing shortage until focus was shifted to low income households in the midst of the Vietnam War. To Downs, ending the shortage was important because it was affecting the American way of life. Couples were delaying marriage, extended families were living in one home, and overcrowded housing led to overcrowded local facilities, such as schools. Downs also argues that this overcrowding led to an inescapable cycle of “substandard”
Housing can reach incredibly large proportions and have various on-site features such as large pools or perhaps the house has more than two floors. Obviously, only the wealthy class can afford a property with features such as this. Some may view it as unnecessary and excessive to own such a property. Thoreau described his home in “Walden” not having plastering or a chimney. He only used the home to protect himself from the rain and winters. Also there are different types of communities to move into. Housing a century ago was different in that there were only two types of areas to live in. Someone lived in the large and busy cities or in small, quaint homes in the countryside. Also housing was much smaller and it was less expensive for someone to make their own
For those of us with warm roofs over our heads and groceries on the table the problem of affordable housing does not often surface. But for low-income families, where half the income can disappear simply trying to keep the family sheltered in an acceptable home, the problem is a daily one. President of the BRIDGE Housing Corporation Donald Terner and columnist Brad Terner argue that affordable housing is a problem that should involve everyone. From your local supermarket clerk to your child’s science teacher, the problem of affordable housing can affect us all.
Reiley, Stephanie. “Issue 10 – Why a Tiny Home?” 27 July 2009. Web. 2 Mar. 2013
As the lease of my apartment is coming to an end it had me thinking of achieving my own American Dream of home ownership but as I do my research I find the dream is far from coming true. I am sure that the issue of housing prices and rent rates are what most of us Bay Area residents talk about and debate. It is an issue that needs to be addressed by the officials of the area, city mayors, affordable housing committees, social justice activists,lawmakers, and even employers. Skyrocketing prices, low inventory, and investors’ bidding wars are not only pushing the middle and lower classes out of San Francisco and the Bay Area out but will completely eliminate them.
Low income can lead to high levels of stress and pressure, which can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Overcrowding can be negative for a person because it causes frustration and family breakups, and means that their personal space is invaded, and their right to privacy is ignored – this can lead to tension in the family, and issues such as domestic abuse. Inadequate housing can affect an individual’s health, as it can cause respiratory problems due to poor living conditions such as damp or mold. The lack of green spaces can mean that health and sociability are not encouraged, and mental and physical health
The American dream was owning a house with a white picket fence. Now this dream is impossible. Individuals and families find it more difficult to find a decent home to rent in a suitable living area. According to Huffington Post, the hourly wage needed to afford a two bedroom apartment in California is at least $26 an hour. This is more than triple the minimum wage. Eviction, relocation, and inflation are the common keywords that associate with affordable housing. I 'm hoping to persuade you to support affordable housing for all. Today, I will be discussing, one, inflation of the housing market that needs to decrease, two, eviction from homes, three having to move to communities far from their work site.
Economic troubles can be prevented through access to affordable and adequate housing that is within the means of an individual’s income. With advances in production and design, the American Dream can become a feasible reality for all Americans.
"Sixty-eight percent of tiny house people have no mortgage, compared to 29.3% of all U.S. homeowners" (Henion ¶6). By choosing the tiny life, it eliminates the financial burden of mortgages. Even retired baby boomers are moving away from traditional homes because of the high maintenance and endless mortgages (Patel ¶4). "Approximately 2 out of 5 tiny home owners are over 50 years of age" (Henion ¶11). The other financial issue many Americans face is taxes. The only taxes tiny home owners pay is for land properties and other minor fees (Patel ¶5). An example of a minor fee is the heating and cooling for a tiny home. It all depends on the electrical demand on the house. The owner of the home could be producing their own electricity or someone could be supplying them (Downes ¶7). No matter the case, the taxes are affordable and the mortgage is non-existent. When it comes down to it, tiny homes are the cost effective
Housing in inner city areas was poor quality and in a 1991 census it was found that over 1 million homes in the inner cities still lacked the basic amenities of bathrooms, WC’s and hot water. The occupants have low incomes and are often elderly, young
A simpler, easy-going way of life is being adopted by people young and old, single and married, employed and not so, across the nation. Tiny houses are residential buildings typically less than 600 square feet – larger than a shed, but not quite big enough to be called a cottage. They have nearly all the facilities and rooms a regular home has, but in a more compact area, without all the “excess” space. This trend of down-sizing, also known as the Tiny House Movement, isn’t a new one. Rather, it’s the revival of a past idea. In the 1950’s the average American single-family home was 980 square feet. As of 2009, that average has increased by 275% to an enormous 2,700 square feet. Garages take up about 15% of that size while appliances fill another 10%. American refrigerators are double the size of those in Europe, and use enough energy to power six televisions for 10-12 hours per day (Strobel). The purpose of tiny houses is to reduce the amount of space in one’s home in order to reduce the amount of clutter in one’s life – to realize what is a w...
Kitchen areas generally consist of plenty of things. Not just that‚ but items usually hidden behind modern kitchen cabinets could be oddly designed plus need a lots of area‚ for example food processors or even remain mixers. Getting a house for the kitchen area stuff while maintaining it readily available could be a difficult task. Because built ins are expensive as well as the general size from the area you are working with