As the U.S. and other countries around the world look for solutions to a growing housing crisis, that fight has come to what some would consider an unexpected place.

According to the Cape Cod Times, the year-round crisis is mounting on Martha’s Vineyard in Chilmark, Massachusetts, and Marina Lent is offering a solution that could be considered, small.

Similar to nearby Nantucket, which recently passed a bylaw allowing for “tiny homes”, the Chilmark Board of Selectmen heard a proposal from Lent that would allow homes smaller than 400 square feet to be clustered on a single lot with a septic system.

“Instead of a four-bedroom house on a four-bedroom septic system, build four single-bedroom homes,” said Lent.

“This would allow people in the market for homes to share the cost of land, the major cost factor, and still be able to live in their own place. The land is so unaffordable.”

Unaffordable to the tune of $250,000 for a quarter-acre.

“Anywhere else I could buy a home,” said Lent, who is the administrator for the town’s Board of Health. “There’s no way I could ever buy a starter home on my salary.”

Chilmark holds the distinction of having the most seasonal housing market on the island. Out of 1,560 units in town, 79 percent are vacant and used as seasonal residences.

Under Lent’s plan, the homes would be somewhat of a hybrid – tiny homes are usually built on trailers, but Lent’s proposal would allow for the homes to have a foundation, which is necessary to withstand the storms that hit the island. The homes would also be movable, if the homeowner would like to relocate to another area.

While the island has not been warm to manufactured homes in the past, there is a long history of moving homes. But, that could change to.

Nearby Tisbury will hold a public hearing February 15 to discuss adjusting regulations for manufactured home communities and tiny houses.

Manufactured home communities currently need to be on a 10-acre lot in certain zoning, but officials are considering reducing the lot requirement to 3 acres.

“If people want to solve the problem with housing they have to change zoning,” said Tisbury Planning Board member Daniel Seidman.

“Decreasing the 10-acre requirement would give developers looking to build multiple rental units on a single property a better deal, and the homes must still adhere to all other building requirements.”

All of the different ideas currently being discussed are an effort to make it easier for the island’s year-round residents.

Forty percent of year-round households in Chilmark have low to moderate income, according to a commission study. Of those homes, 42 percent spend more than half of their gross income on housing.

“Think of a 27-year-old getting out of college,” Lent said.

“They’re early career-starters … they’re already struggling with college debt. They can’t buy a house.”

Kelly McCarron, a 25-year-old graduate of Suffolk University, is Lent’s niece. McCarron currently lives with her grandmother and for her, the tiny house idea provides more opportunity to build a sense of community.

“I can see how it isn’t built for everyone, but for someone in their 20s it would be a wonderful alternative,” said McCarron.

 

The Selectmen have been receptive to the idea and are continuing to look into it.

“All of the towns now, including Chilmark, need to address affordable housing,” said Chilmark Selectman Jim Malkin.

“I think it has a good chance of becoming a reality. I also hope that if the proposal becomes reality, that it doesn’t come with the connotation that people who live there are on the poor side of town and live on the other side of the tracks.”

While some are on board with the idea, there are those who question it.

“I’m a little skeptical about whether it’s a viable alternative,” said Selectman William Rossi.

“Four-hundred-square feet would be kind of tight.”

Chilmark currently allows for secondary dwellings on a single property, but there can only be one kitchen. This represents one of many potential zoning changes that would need to happen for Lent’s proposal to be practical.

While those challenges persist, Lent remains hopeful that her idea can help those year-round residents who need it most.

“I think as a general idea it would be excellent for people to be able to do privately, but I sure wouldn’t want to open the door to scores of ‘tiny house parks’ on the Cape and Islands that just cater once again to the seasonal rental market,” said Lent.

“We need these for year-round housing.”

(EDITOR’S Note: MHLivingNews has covered the “tiny home” movement extensively, including the potential for big legal trouble for owners and a detailed side-by-side comparison with manufactured homes, highlighting function and value versus fashion.)

(Image credits are as shown above.)

Submitted by RC Williams to the Daily Business News for MHProNews.