Ti n y Tri an gl e Revol u t i on Some residents are placing big bets on compact accessory dwelling units S T O RY A N D P H O T O S B Y M I C K S C H U LT E
W
hile the Triangle continues to get bigger, some residents are choosing to live smaller—tiny, actually. The “Tiny House Revolution,” or movement, has hit Wake County, offering residents an alternative lifestyle where resources are maximized and excess is limited. A new law passed by the Raleigh City Council last July allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on personal property, making it possible for Raleigh to join Cary and other North Carolina cities in welcoming tiny homes. While the average American home is 2,301 square feet (according to 2019 new housing data from the U.S. Census Bureau), tiny homes are considered anything under 500 square feet. Proponents of these smaller spaces say they provide much more than a place to live—tiny homes are a lifestyle. “My interest in tiny houses began while living in Barcelona through a UNC international program,” says Frank Jones, creator of the Triangle Tiny House blog (triangletinyhouse.com) and meetup group (meetup.com/triangle-tiny-house). “My wife and I moved into a 350-square-foot apartment in Spain with the typical American mindset, thinking this was a very small space. But at the end of the semester, we fell in love with the European lifestyle and viewed tiny houses as one path to creating the minimalist, outdoor way of life we had in Spain.” Jones created the blog and meetup group for people interested in the tiny house movement, and he uses them to help others interested in owning a tiny house explore their options. Many people think of custom homes on wheels that are often shown on HGTV, but Jones says there are a wide range of options when it comes to tiny structures. “I know people who live in van conversions, RV/campers, yurts, small houses built on foundations, intentional communities—and all of them fit into the definition of a tiny home,” he says.
WORK OR GUEST SPACE Just as tiny homes come in many different forms, their intended use can vary greatly from owner to owner as well. Especially in the work-from-home world the pandemic has enforced, many people are seeking office space that offers separation from their home, but involves an easy commute. “At some point, 68 | midtownmag.com
what you would have paid for your co-working space, you could have spent towards a detached office, which also adds value to your property in the long run,” says Dale Moody, a realtor with Cornerstone Properties in Raleigh. He also thinks there will be a movement toward adding tiny home structures for elderly parents to live in—or for “boomerang” children who are between jobs or work in a low-paying field. “I imagine most of the demand for ADUs will be for personal use, but I do think it will take some time to catch on,” Moody says. “Eventually folks will start to realize how feasible a tiny house is compared to buying a larger home, or renting a space somewhere.”
AFFORDABLE HOUSING Beyond the benefits to tiny home owners, some believe these smaller living spaces can provide a solution for expanding affordable housing in the Triangle. Raleigh Mayor Mary Ann Baldwin includes ADUs on her list of “10 Ways Raleigh Can Encourage Housing Affordability” (maryannforraleigh.com/ housing-affordability). RaleighNC.gov explains that only singlefamily homes are allowed to be built in 80% of the city, which reduces the amount of housing options for residents—especially those with lower incomes. However, thanks to the new ADU law that was passed, these units are now allowed on personal property, and tiny home communities are now permitted in Raleigh’s city limits. “This law has the potential to create more affordable housing,” says Dexter Tillett, owner of Tiny Homes Raleigh (tinyhomesraleigh.com). “It offers people a way to make extra income and raise their property values, and it can essentially double the density in our urban area. I passionately believe that tiny homes will not only improve our economy, but they’ll bring even more personality to this city we love.” The ADU law received some pushback from Raleigh citizens who fear the units will be used as Airbnbs and short-term rentals. The potential to create noise and parking problems on already-crowded streets is also a real concern for many. Yet Tillett, Baldwin and other proponents of tiny homes hope people will see them as an opportunity to improve the Triangle and provide long-term rental options for lower-income residents.