The Tiny House Movement has gained lots of momentum in the past few years. Some people may dream of owning stately palaces, lavish mansions, or penthouses in the sky, but for others, a custom-built tiny house is best way to live.
The Movement embraces living minimally in dwellings that are usually under 500 square feet and feature only the basic necessities. They're cheaper to build, more economical to run and sustain, and they're easier to clean. These tiny homes have been popular with college students, young families, world travelers, and retired couples.
Tom and Karen Rogers of York County, VA have long dreamed of retiring to their very own tiny home. They finally got their wish when they purchased a tiny house that cost between $60,000–$65,000. It was cheaper than most single-family homes, which have a median price of a little over $300,000. When they moved their tiny home to an inexpensive space in their hometown trailer park, it was also way more spacious than most mobile homes they saw.
This tiny house was everything this retired couple wanted, but then they got a notice from the county government: their new tiny house was considered a threat to public safety and needed to be removed.
Please SHARE this story after reading about their ongoing fight to stay in their tiny house.
h/t: Daily Press and 13 News Now
This tiny house fit their needs for affordable housing. With only 420 square feet, the house still has a living room, kitchen, washer and dryer, bathroom, bedroom loft, and even a small porch.
They purchased the tiny house from an Alabama company called Lil' Lodges. This company specializes in the construction and transportation of tiny houses like the one owned by the Rogers family.
Not long after moving in to their new house, they were notified that they would need to vacate. The York County Board of Supervisors claimed that the construction was not given proper approval.
Specifically, they noted that all constructed houses in mobile home areas must have this sticker of approval stating that it has been properly investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development. Because their house was built in Alabama, the Board was unable to inspect it. They do not classify it as a "mobile home."
Tom and Karen previously filed an appeal with the Zoning Board Court of Appeals and won. They said that their home does fall under a mobile home category because it is on wheels and is transportable. Despite winning their appeal, the Board of Supervisors is now filing their own appeal.
Tom and Karen are concerned that they won't be able to afford a home anywhere else. Tom is a retired Navy vet suffering from multiple sclerosis. The tiny house gives him an easier way of life.
Neighbors like the home and have even signed a petition to let Tom and Karen stay.
The county is claiming that the house must be removed because it's a "public safety" concern. Karen claims she has no idea how the house might be a threat to anyone. She says it "makes no sense."
They admit to feeling bullied. They have no money for a lawyer, and they feel that the courts know that. They're worried about what will happen if they can't stay.
Tom and Karen have started a Change.org petition to get the county to stop their actions, which you can read and sign here.
Please SHARE and watch a news story below about the ongoing battle.
