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- Tiny Living Guide
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Finding the perfect home is becoming increasingly challenging in a rapidly changing housing market with rising prices and decreasing supply.
The tiny home trend encourages people to downsize, simplify, and live with less. In addition to providing affordable housing, tiny houses also support underserved communities. Those who support the tiny home movement say their homes have smaller carbon footprints and are more environmentally friendly, which could contribute to the fight against urban sprawl.
Quick facts*
There is a substantial rise in Canadian interest in tiny homes.
The number of persons searching for “tiny homes for sale” increased by 733% in Nova Scotia and 467% in New Brunswick.
Canada’s most popular housing trend is cottages.
In Canada, cottages are the most sought-after kind of property; searches for cottages for sale have increased by 200%. By contrast, apartment prices rose by just 14%.
Housing prices in Canada are being affected by rising interest rates.
It is illegal to build tiny houses in much of Canada.
Most tiny homes in Canada are illegal due to strict building codes that architects must follow when designing a home. Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Quebec City are tiny, home-friendly cities.
Building a tiny house in Canada costs about the same as in the United States.
A growing number of Canadians are acquiring tiny homes through loopholes.
Because most of Canada’s building codes are too strict to allow for constructing a tiny home, many people resort to finding loopholes. Some people, for example, classify it as a garden shed instead, enabling them to avoid the law.
Tiny homes typically measure 225 square feet.
*Information provided by Housegrail
Social Impact
Homes for Heroes /Atco Veterans Village
Supporting Canadian military veterans, Homes for Heroes launched its first Veterans Village in 2019 in Calgary and added a second one in north Edmonton in 2021. According to Michael Schneider, a case manager with the Homes for Heroes Foundation, tiny homes are proving to be a huge game changer for homeless veterans in Canada. He emphasises helping veterans who need assistance with a purpose.
Every day I come into work knowing we’re helping veterans who want the help .. There’s honour in that.
Michael Schneider for CBC.ca
In addition to housing, the village serves as a hub for connecting veterans with Veterans Affairs, mental health services, and medical professionals. It also houses a resource centre for community gatherings. Schneider emphasizes the need to provide veterans with a healing, safe, and secure environment to facilitate a more seamless transition to civilian life.
The province, city, and private and corporate donors contributed to the $4 million Edmonton project, officially known as the Atco Veterans Village. Over 20 residents have graduated from the village’s programs, securing permanent housing and jobs, while others have chosen to further their education.
The village layout, resembling inward-looking barrack-style communities, fosters a sense of mutual support among residents, similar to their military experiences, according to David Howard, founder of Homes for Heroes in Calgary. Furthermore, the smaller size of the units, which are typically tiny homes, allows residents to manage their possessions better and avoid hoarding.
Marcel LeBrun’s Remarkable Initiative: Building 99 ‘Tiny Homes’ to address Local Homelessness
Canadian millionaire Marcel LeBrun has embarked on an impressive mission to combat local homelessness, dedicating a portion of his substantial wealth to build 99 “tiny homes” in his hometown of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. In this region, over 1,800 individuals have experienced homelessness in the past year.
Marcel’s innovative project, known as “12 Neighbours,” is envisioned as a dignified micro home community, with each of the 99 compact homes featuring essential amenities like a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, modest front porch, and solar panels. Despite the limited living space, the project has made significant strides and secured $12 million in government grants for expansion.
Marcel’s motivation for this endeavour stems from his belief that providing individuals with their own property fosters a sense of responsibility, and a community of formerly homeless residents can better understand the challenges faced by those still struggling. However, the project has faced criticism from some who argue for integrating homeless individuals into society rather than creating a gated community.
I see myself as a community builder, and really what we’re doing here is not just building a little community, but we’re building a community in a city, like how do we help our city be better?
Marcel LeBrun
In addition to the homes, the project envisions a resident-run community centre, complete with amenities like coffee shops, a “teaching kitchen,” and a silk printing business to provide employment opportunities. The ultimate goal is to create a welcoming space that attracts people from the broader community.