The rising cost of living has affected us in many troubling ways. People are tripling their expenses in overpriced rental housing that costs anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500 per month. Multiply that $3,500 by 12 months, and that equals $42,000 annually. Alternatively, you could spend less than $10,000 purchasing a 10′ x 12′ shed with wired electricity and an added loft for a bedroom or sleeping area, which saves you $32,000 to own versus renting. Here are some great websites to start your tiny but affordable house –building or –buying process:
I’m not the only one thinking this way. Oakland, California, is moving 40 people into a village of “Tuff Shed”-brand structures this month to address its local homeless crisis. And earlier this year, San Jose, California, identified several locations where the government could build tiny homes for the homeless community. However, according to a February report from The Mercury News, some residents have pushed back, saying the locations are too close to schools and existing residential areas. Yes, you read that correctly: Some people think those experiencing homelessness should have separate residential areas when they are given the opportunity to make a new home for themselves.
Detroit has been leading the way, with a pilot project not only to house homeless people in tiny homes but for the residents to rent-to-own those locations. According to a November 2017 report by the Detroit Free Press, seven such homes are already in operation on land owned by Cass Community Social Services while construction had begun on five more.
