The popularity of tiny homes continues to spread across the U.S., with at least 10 different tiny home communities now in operation in a number of different states.
And a new law recently passed in San Jose now allows for the construction of tiny homes for the homeless.
There is a growing problem with homelessness in that city and they are out of beds to offer them to keep them sheltered. It's no surprise that homelessness advocates in San Jose, as in other places, have turned to tiny homes to possibly tackle the problem.
Starting early next year, San Jose is going to permit the construction of the tiny homes by making an exception for the project to be able to bypass state building codes, safety codes, and more. For now it isn't sure how many projects will be approved and how many individuals the program will be able to help. There are many places, San Jose included, that prohibit people from living in residences that are under a certain footage property size, but these initiatives to get people off the street are seeing the government embrace these homes in some cases rather than prohibit them.
Many are hoping that this sort of project will clean-up the homeless camps and get people off the streets for good, giving them a chance to start over and start with a clean and safe place to stay at night.
There are other cities that have made this move as well, and they are Nashville, Dallas, Detroit, Portland, and other areas.
It is also argued that these communities can help to save taxpayer funds that would traditionally be spent on medical bills or costs related to criminal justice expenses etc for the homeless. And so many are seeing that this could be a more efficient solution. Other tiny house projects that were built in places like California, were built thanks to privately donated land and crowdfunding efforts etc.
The law that has currently been introduced in San Jose is set to expire in 2022 and at that time the city will evaluate the impact that it has had.
Pics: cityLAB
Sources:
http://www.businessinsider.com/santa-jose-homeless-tiny-houses-2016-10
http://www.mnn.com/your-home/remodeling-design/blogs/san-jose-tackle-homelessness-tiny-houses
http://www.texasmonthly.com/the-daily-post/texas-using-tiny-houses-solve-big-problem/