Market trends and opportunities for startup tiny house communities in the Blue Ridge area of Virginia

1. Tiny House Village Startups
An opportunity for the Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley area
Mark Frazier presentation to Charlottesville, VA EcoVillage Meetup (April 23, 2017)
Openworld Villages
http://openworldvillages.org

2. What we’ll explore…
1. Why the
movement is
happening
2. Where it is
heading
3. How can we act
upon the
opportunity?

3. Tiny House initiatives around the country
What are Tiny houses?
• Capable of four season
living
• Typically, 200 to 400
square feet
• Can be built permanently
on site, or kept on wheels

4. Tiny House Initiatives in our Region
Village of Wildflowers (NC)
Coral Sands Point Recreational Village (NC)

5. Virginia Highland Haven Airstream Park

6. Virginia Highland Haven Airstream Park

7. Shenandoah and Piedmont Area Activity
White Lotus Eco Retreat
(Standardsville)
The Quarries
EcoVillage
(Schuyler)

8. Harrisonburg area (to date)

9. Where is it heading?
New kinds of dwellings

10. Where is it heading?
New kinds of dwellings (cont.) –
Turning shipping containers into dwellings

11. Where is it heading?
New kinds of dwellings (cont.) –
Prefab modules with earth cover

12. Where is it heading?
New kinds of dwellings (cont.) –
3D Printed Buildings

13. A Growing Market
Source: Openworld Villages 2016

14. Typical Purchasers
http://thetinylife.com/tiny-house-infographic/

15. “Crowdmoves” for Vacation and Getaway Homes

16. Villages with AirBnb Rentals

17. Villages for People with Special Needs
Community First!
Village (Austin TX)
Opportunity Village
(Eugene, OR)
Source: SquareOne Villages
www.squareonevillages.org

18. Transitional Village
18
Source: SquareOne Villages www.squareonevillages.org

19. Affordable Village (with homes for long-term residents)
19
Source: SquareOne Villages www.squareonevillages.org

20. Comparing Tiny House Purchase Costs
Source: http://www.tinygreencabins.com/Blog/?p=2277
Source: http://www.sheldondesigns.com/CabinCalculator/

21. Financing a Tiny House
Source: http://www.tinyhouselending.com/Home/OwnVsRent

22. Financing Tiny Houses
Exploring ways for Tiny Houses to pay for themselves
• AirBnb rentals of interesting tiny houses: $100-$150/night
• Cost of financing a small “Park Model” tiny house on wheels: $400-700 per
month
• A tiny house can cover financing costs if rented part-time via AirBnb for about 6-
8 days/month
• Depreciation advantage over traditional homes – tiny houses on wheels, if used
for business, can be fully depreciated as commercial vehicles over eight years

23. Regulatory Reforms
The need to lift regulatory barriers
• Many localities restrict or outlaw AirBnb
• Zoning laws usually allow only part time “camping” (not full-time living) in
tiny houses on wheels
• Some localities prevent tiny houses from using rainwater, doing
microfarming, and establishing “off grid” energy alternatives

24. Regulatory Reforms
Moves to lift regulatory barriers

25. Approvals for Tiny Houses: Breakthroughs

26. Approvals for Tiny Houses: Breakthroughs
Fresno’s
breakthrough
New International
Residential Code
approves:
• sleeping lofts
• Compact stairways
For tiny houses on
foundations

27. Reform Shortlist – an Ideal Framework
http://americantinyhouseassociation.org/category/type/zoning/page/2/

28. Steps in Forming a Tiny House Community
Next steps for community developers…
Source: Openworld Villages 2016

29. Roadmap
29
Ten steps for village startup ventures…
Source: SquareOne Villages www.squareonevillages.org

30. Next Steps
30
Keys to success (adapted from Square One Villages)
1. build political and public support for the project during all phases
2. develop a mission and vision for the village
3. identify and evaluate potential sites for the project
4. lead the planning & design of the village and form a persuasive proposal
5. develop and maintain an active fundraising campaign
6. acquire and maintain legal status and liability insurance to cover the project, or partner
with an existing venture
7. work with resident core group to build the social fabric of the community
8. ensure that all financial, legal, administrative, safety, and sanitation matters are being
accountably managed once the village is built

31. Further Information
Openworld Villages
New resources for startup communities
www.openworldvillages.org
202.257.2574
info@openworldvillages.org