I wanted to send a thank you out to Martin Skolnick at Cushman & Wakefield in Kingston, ON for sharing the idea of commercial property owners renting out space to tiny homeowners until the site is scheduled for development. This is a real win-win idea because developers can get an income from undeveloped land that could off-set property taxes, as well as having the tiny homeowners on the property, thereby helping maintain the grounds and prevent vandalism.
This could potentially provide rental space for many tiny homeowners in desirable locations in a city. Where the developer didn’t want to provide any services, the tiny homes would need to be able to operate totally off-grid, but we see this as a small price to pay for in-city locations. As some development sites can be vacant for years while going through the design, planning, permit, and other processes using them as temporary Pocket Communities for tiny homes make sense.
We feel that through an application and annual permit process, the city would be able to manage and control the Pocket Community to ensure that the tiny homeowners appreciate that living tiny in the city is a privilege, not a right. The responsibility to integrate into the community where tiny homes park, lies with the tiny homeowners.
While we have thought that the best way to build and operate Pocket Communities was using a coop model, where a cooperative would own the land and rent it out to tiny homeowners/members, we can’t ignore the creative sensibility of this idea. Using undeveloped commercial, light industrial or other investment type lands to quickly get more spaces, in key locations, available for tiny homeowners is just brilliant.
Awesome idea. I hope it gets approval in Kingston so it can be replicated in cities across Ontario and the rest of the country.
Great idea win win win for all entities but would need a definite definition of a tiny house cos tiny houses
Get BIGGER every day
We’re subscribing to the definition of a tiny home on wheels (THOWs) as being towable, which limits them to 8.5′ wide without a permit. The length is determined by the tow vehicle and tiny home, but basically under 40′. 13’6′ is the maximum height.
Hi, Anne Babington here, I live in Campbell River BC I really like your idea of a Tiny House community and think that what needs to be done is to go to the municipality and advocate to get TH legalized. I believe this is the first step get the Bylaws changed to accommodate TH and then present the Muni with plans for a th community.
Hi, future tiny-liver here. I’ve downsized twice, and my next move is planned to be into a tiny home on wheels. Right now, I’m planning on an area lake campground with full hook-ups and year-round services. Only option at this time in SE Ohio. I’d love to see tiny communities pop up — affordably. There are some luxury ones in resort area in the U.S., but in Appalachia, we aren’t seeing much of it yet.
I’m one for tiny house living. Im 57 years old and is very worried about being able to affordably living. I would love to know if there’s any plans of a tiny house community in Colborg, ontario. I would love to sell my house and purchase a tiny house for myself.