Tiny homes: Living small not so easy
Living tiny is a trend that has gained significant traction in recent years. From minimalist living to environmental consciousness, tiny homes appeal to people for different reasons. However, the reality of living small is not as easy as it seems. The story of Pete Montgomery, a retiree who invested his time and money in building a tiny home, only for it to be threatened with removal, is a testament to the challenges of living in a tiny home.
Montgomery’s story is just one of many as the shift towards tiny homes continues to grow. At a community meeting discussing Whakatāne District Council’s restrictive rules regarding how many dwellings are allowed on rural properties, Montgomery shared his experience. Due to a family tragedy, Montgomery found himself without any means to rent or buy a home but was determined to find a solution that did not involve “sponging off family.” His solution was to build a tiny home on a friend’s lifestyle block, only to be threatened with removal due to council restrictions.
The council limitations on rural properties are a significant roadblock for people looking to live in tiny homes. The Whakatāne District Plan allows only one dwelling on every residential rural property, with accessory buildings used for habitation, such as sleep-outs, requiring anyone sleeping there to use facilities in the main house. Any other dwellings are a discretionary activity that needs approval. These restrictions limit the number of tiny homes that can be built and restrict the freedom of people who want to live small.
Montgomery’s experience highlights the lack of support for people who choose to build tiny homes. Councils should be looking for ways to support people who want to live small, but instead, regulations and restrictions limit their opportunities. Montgomery invested hours of hard work and love into producing a warm, weathertight, top-quality home in which to spend his twilight years, only to face having it removed due to council restrictions.
The council needs to find a way to support people who want to live in tiny homes by creating policies that facilitate the building of affordable, environmentally-conscious, and low-impact housing. With housing affordability becoming an increasingly pressing issue, tiny homes could provide a solution for people looking to own a home without going into debt or becoming financially burdened.
Related facts:
– The tiny home movement started in the United States in the late 1990s as a response to escalating house prices and the growing desire for a more minimalistic lifestyle.
– In New Zealand, the Tiny House Association was formed in 2014 to promote and support tiny homes as a housing option.
– Tiny homes often come with a lower environmental impact due to their small size and the use of sustainable materials.
Key takeaway:
Living in a tiny home is not as easy as it seems. Council restrictions limit the opportunities of people who want to live small. Providing support to people who want to build tiny homes could provide a solution to the housing affordability issue.
Conclusion:
Living tiny is a choice that many people make for different reasons. While the benefits of living small can be significant, the path to achieving this can be challenging, with council restrictions limiting the opportunities for people who want to build tiny homes. It is essential to provide support to people who want to live in tiny homes to facilitate the building of affordable, environmentally-conscious, and low-impact housing. Councils should be looking for ways to create policies that encourage and facilitate the building of tiny homes to provide a solution for the pressing issue of housing affordability.
