Tag Archives: housing

From Horse and Carriage to the Tiny Living of Today

Savannah Victorian Historic District, 213 West Bolton Street (House), Savannah, Chatham County, GA It is currently nestled between two houses. A reflection of some Tiny House locations.

When considering Tiny House living, and small space living, the time of a horse and carriage parked outside of a tiny, one room cottage comes to mind. The difference between living today and living yesterday may seem worlds apart. They are not very different in contrast from each other.

There was a time, and times before that the average person or family lived in one room. The only extra would have been perhaps, a loft with hay stuffed mattresses spread across the floor to sleep upon. All daily living would have taken place in the main room or singular room. Dinner was cooked on a wood stove or in a fireplace that served as both heating and cook top.

Everything for daily life in one room.

The working class; as they would have been, lived minimally. Like today, limited space and affordability governed how much space a person or family could occupy. These were the pioneers of utilizing every available space to it’s maximum. The shelving above the windows gives a certain indication of the necessity to be creatively resourceful.

Time is another factor. Much like, today. Yesterday’s modern people had much to get done in one day. They had no aid from a microwave, washing machine, nor pizza delivery. However, today most of people’s time is spent outside of the home. That time spent equals 40 – 60 hours per day, and if not more.

The rigor of laundry probably cost about a days time plus dinner.

There was once that moving up meant getting a larger house, and a maid to help in the home. What may have been considered shabby or meager for a home is left behind for what might have been referred to as, “… a fine cottage!” A bedroom instead of like a studio or loft. Separate areas with open space for cooking, dinning, and laundry would have been that step up.

What may have been a fine cottage.
A cottage this size would have housed a family of 5.

The Tiny House Movement is almost or is a revolution. A mass demand for affordable housing. A demand that says, “If you won’t do it, I’ll do it myself!” The National Low Income Housing Coalition reported, “Nationally, there is a shortage of more than 7 million affordable homes for our nation’s 11 million plus extremely low-income families.” These numbers are astonishing. Now, with COVID-19 causing a near collapse upon our economy. It can be expected for things to get worse before they get better.

There are 65,370 new cases of COVID-19 in the United States since July 15, 2020. According to the CDC there have been 136,938 total deaths in the United States. With those numbers talking to all of us. It could be easy to assume that another quarantine could be on it’s way. Yet, it is understandable why the government, major companies, and small businesses do not want to see that happen.

In a modern Tiny House, a bench is often the replacement for a sofa, and is multi-functional. In these depicted days of old, soft seating was rarely afforded by the working class. Today, cushions are easily afforded, and no sofa saves money, and space.

Before the pandemic of COVID-19, affordable housing was in a crisis, and still is in a crisis. This was published by CNN, “(CNN)If the coronavirus pandemic continues to drive unemployment levels as high as predicted, homelessness will increase 40% to 45% by the end of the year, according to an analysis by a Columbia University economics professor.”

Predictions, stats, and unfortunately situations like above broadens the mind about the deeper message that Tiny House Movers are subtly saying. Ownership is the greatest security! Rent is only as low as the next sudden economical shift. Almost, whatever happens in the economy. You/I will always have a roof over head.

A Tiny House interior usually comes with loft, fully functioning kitchen, a small sitting area, and a bathroom w/shower.

Needless to say, Tiny Houses are not without style. They can be custom built or do it yourself. That is a great allowance for uniqueness and personality that makes a home happy. It is within everyone’s nature for a home to reflect ourselves.

There is also the classification of a Tiny House. Most Tiny Houses are classified an RV, and are built in a manner that can be pulled behind a qualified vehicle. RV parks are usually where they reside. In that situation, there is rental for RV parking.

If your state, county, etc. allows a parking spot on private land for an RV classified Tiny House, there will still be other ordinances to abide by. One consideration for me is that I live in Tornado Alley. RV’s and trailer homes are not recommended in my state, but they do allow them. This includes Tiny Homes. For me a Steel frame, rock siding and rock foundation would be “up my alley” for a Tiny Home. Keep safe!