Inspiring Small House Communities

As our economy struggles many are finding it difficult to find an affordable place to live. With the drive to keep up with the Jones’s with bigger and better, the last century has left an overabundance of oversized and overpriced houses that many cannot afford to live comfortably in. The Tiny House Movement is rapidly expanding into a movement towards reducing the high cost of living and leaving a small ecological footprint.

Many perceive tiny homes as small trailerable RV type houses, but in truth, it also includes small houses that can range up to 93 m² (1000 sq.ft.). In WebStamp’s Redefining Tiny Houses we discover that going tiny, actually downsizing, doesn’t mean that we have to live in a cramped space. Living in a tiny or small house means living within budget with less upkeep leaving more funds and time for leisure and enjoying life.  Today people are less interested in the size of their dwellings and more on the functionality.

The development of affordable tiny and small houses is restricted by current outdated land-use bylaws that were based on 20^th Century values. Even though the city is looking at ways to develop affordable housing they seem to be ignoring the development of affordable small and tiny house lots as an option. The city needs to take a progressive approach to property size relative to the dwelling size.

They even have gone as far as removing tiny house communities classified as mobile home parks and not approving new ones, as with the recently dismantled Midfield Trailer Park fiasco. The city has vacant land, the former Midfield Trailer Park and the proposed East Hills Estate trailer park, that can be used for the development of affordable small and tiny lots. With proper planning, Calgary could be one answer to the Tiny Property Land-Use Movement in an urban environment.

In the 21^st Century urban development needs to adapt to the changing times. Cities need to increase population density in a creative and innovative way. Land-use bylaws need to change to meet the needs of its citizens so they live an affordable comfortable lifestyle without worries or burdens. Make your M.A.D. Move and Make A Difference by demanding the development of affordable small and tiny lots. Inform your city councillor that you encourage vibrant Small and Tiny House Communities.