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COVID-19 brought out the repressed hoarder in all of us. Toilet paper, paper towels; weirdly, for us it was canned tomatoes and tuna. (And no, COVID never did instill cravings for metallic tomato and tuna salads, and yes, we still have most of the cans stacked up in the basement untouched). COVID also left most of us stuck at home with our significant others fantasizing about larger rooms and just more...space. So it may surprise many that despite all of this, over 50% of Americans now indicate that they would be game to try out "tiny living" according to a recent study.
“I’ve yet to hear anyone say they wish they could go back to having more stuff.” -Stephanie Burrows, who heads up the Tiny Homes of New England Meetup)
Rhode Island is no exception in the recent push for more tiny houses. A proposed State House bill is currently pushing for the ability to add detached tiny houses to the list of what type of dwellings are considered "accessory dwelling units" under state law. Current state law allows accessory dwelling units for the family member of a property's owner, most commonly known as "in-law apartments". However, the new House bill would enable occupancy by strangers or non-family members. Furthermore, it would allow for full detachment of the tiny home from the existing main structure on the property. If passed, the legislation could be a catalyst for change and creativity within the housing industry, paving the way towards much-needed affordable housing solutions.
COVID has brought about the trend of an increasing number of people who wish to move away from the city, spend more time outside and with family members, and live an overall minimalistic lifestyle. According to the Global Tiny Homes Market 2020 Industry Research Report, the tiny home market is expected to grow by 5.8 billion dollars in the next four years. This growth has only increased since the onset of COVID, with cities like Atlanta reporting a 150 percent increase in the number of accessory dwelling permits. With the current state of the economy, this makes sense. Many of those who have lost their jobs or are looking to minimize their living expenses have made the transition to tiny house living. Furthermore, it has become an incredibly viable option for both millennials and boomers alike who may now rely on family members financially but would still like to maintain their own space.
It could still be a long time before the world returns back to its former state. If you are feeling the need to escape, there are a number of tiny houses available for short-term stays on websites like Airbnb linked below, and there are many more that are available for purchase. If you want to learn more about finding or building the tiny house of your dreams, contact us today.
