San Jose Embraces Tiny Homes To Combat Homelessness
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/
That's great. It would be nice to see more of this sort of thing, enabling folks who are struggling rather than relegating them to a statistic.
they need to be sure they can make $ from it first :p
Amazing...they need a law to allow people to build a small house.
Well duh...maybe that's one reason why so many people are homeless to begin with? The RealEstate Cronies and big Builders lobbied the slime...er... meant to say, the politicians, to pass minimum size zoning restrictions, and other regulations which caused the price of housing to skyrocket.
Personally I don't trust them. Notice that the law expires? Then what? If the slime...er..., I mean, the city officials get paid off by the cronies will they eminent domain the residents of the tiny houses the hell out of there?
I'd recommend making the tiny houses mobile. Either wheels or make em so that they can float.
isn't it humorous? can't just get together peacefully and build a small house for a homeless person.. gotta get force involved first :-/ lol
Things that aren't funny don't make me laugh, things that are a lot more than pretty sad don't make me cry... Seems like communication has lost all feeling, or I hope it's just me.
That drawing says it all! I appriciate this post for bringing these issues up, but by no means are these solutions to the root causes of homelessness, namely a generation of pigs keeping the truth tellers in prison.
Interesting..Im hoping Santa Cruz follows San Jose's example.