The Tiny House, A Possible Solution to the Housing Crunch 

The tiny house movement is no longer a fad of the eccentric; it is now a global trend. A societal shift towards simplicity and minimalism in recent years has birthed the ‘tiny house trend’.  Albeit the trappings of modernity (actually post modernity) are attractive, many people are put off by all the effort and money required to establish and maintain a home. Rent is becoming increasingly unbearable and job security is fast becoming a thing of the past. Increasingly, tiny houses are being seen by many as a way to fast track their ambitions.

For us here in Sudan, the tiny house is not a new concept. It wasn’t that long ago (and still in some areas) that majority of our houses were tiny houses—literally a room with maybe an awning. However, as our environment urbanized, we started to build multi-unit structures where the house took precedence over the yard. These multi-unit structures became expensive and needed contractors to build them. Along with the newer structures came the increased value of the real estate. Together these two ingredients made starting a family and establishing a home out of reach for many young people. Life gets put on hold. I can’t think about a family and a house until I finish university, then I can’t think about a family and a house until I get a good job, then I can’t think about a family and a house until I find a job outside of Sudan!

Adobe (jaloose locally) or rammed earth has made a triumphant return, but not the way your grandfather did it.

As of recent, many people, young and old are opting for more control over their lives. People are industrious and creative in building their tiny houses. What was old is now new again. Adobe (jaloose locally) or rammed earth has made a triumphant return, but not the way your grandfather did it. Wood, stone, shipping containers, and even buses have also been used or converted into house building projects.

The tiny house can be designed to fit almost any space. Maybe where you are living has some space in the yard. Many tiny houses have second floors or lofts which provide extra space within the original square foot meterage. The unique feature of the tiny house is its small footprint, its suitability for small spaces.

Also, tiny houses are suitable for those who intend to homestead. If you have land or a farm, an economically built tiny house can make it easy for you to move out on the land and start homesteading. Particularly the money it would take to build a conventional home, part of that could be used for things like solar panels, digging your well, buying animals.

And the tiny house doesn’t have to be so tiny, it’s up to you and the space you have. But the best thing about the tiny house is that it’s yours!