Thousands of homeless people are found every day in every country. Especially in the US, the count of homeless people is increasing day by day. Compared to the size of homeless families, the services and helping hands provided by the states are not even close to enough.
People are facing homelessness regularly due to low economic growth, unemployment, lack of commitment from the employers and government, and whatnot. Today, around 2% of the global population is homeless. However, we are not completely helpless. In the past decade, states saw a big rise in the numbers of tiny houses, which have positively proved to be a solution for the homeless.
But the problem is still bigger. There are still questions about whether tiny houses are enough to help or not. Well, depending on states and their situation, the answer may differ. So let’s get into a detailed discussion.
Tiny houses for homeless
Homeless people are increasing daily mainly due to the inability to purchase or rent conventional houses. The expenses of living in a normal house in states like the US are considerably high, and with such financial problems, one could never afford them.
But tiny houses are not like normal ones. They are much smaller in size and are maximum 400 sq. feet big. They are built in a way that can accommodate all the essentials within a small space. That saves up a lot of money. And since they are small, they cost almost half the price of a normal house.
In recent times, many communities have built tiny house villages with 10-15 tiny houses. They accommodate and rent those houses to homeless families and individuals. Even owners of tiny houses on wheels rent out or sell tiny houses to other homeless people.
However, states have a big role to play when it comes to tiny houses;
States that agree with tiny houses
Some states like California and Texas allow tiny house villages. They believe that tiny houses are an effective way of providing a minimalist and cost-effective lifestyle. Such states have flexible zoning codes.
According to them, tiny houses have enough space for all the essentials such as a bathroom, bed, table, kitchen, and washing room. That makes them highly recommendable and a viable option, especially for the poor.
Tiny houses are only 400 sq. feet. They do not engage in any luxury materials, which makes them very cheap and affordable. Purchasing them is doable, and even renting a tiny house will not take much from a homeless person. Above that, some institutions allow the homeless people free access to tiny villages to help them become self-sufficient.
States that do not agree with tiny houses
Some states do not agree with the tiny house being the solution to homeless people. They believe tiny houses do not provide the basic standards of a house, such as proper ventilation, air space, etc., and render them unsuitable.
Also, most states consider tiny houses to be RVs and do not allow permanent stay in them. So, when one is not allowed to reside permanently, it becomes irrelevant for the homeless people. So, the problem remains unsolved.
So we see while tiny houses are a viable option, different situations bring in different problems. However, if one inspects tiny houses properly, there is a probability of them being the solution.