Tiny home neighborhoods in Austin that unlock affordable living
By John Egan
Oct 8, 2018, 9:48 am
Village Farm merges tiny homes with “agrihood” in far East Austin. Village Farm Austin/Facebook
The tiny home trend is taking off across the nation, but more people in the Austin area are turning to smaller dwellings as a way to combat the area’s affordability issues. Relatively inexpensive, tiny homes can be an ideal alternative to cope with continuing rise in home prices, which have now reached a median price of $322,478 for a single-family residence.
Several communities designed to meet the burgeoning demand for affordable housing are underway in the Austin area. Here’s a look at four local tiny home ‘hoods opening big doors to smaller living.
Village Farm
The Village Farm tiny home community, nestled in the far reaches of East Austin near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Decker Lane, promises the “simple life” in a sustainable setting.
The hub of this so-called “agrihood” is a parcel of farmland. Residents enjoy eco-conscious features such as solar roofs, recycled building materials, composting, water-efficient fixtures, and rainwater harvesting.
Homes cost anywhere from $70,000 to $140,000. In addition, there’s a $600-a-month fee for lot rental. In total, six models measuring 399 square feet each are available. The developer is currently hosting weekly open houses where potential residents can tour homes and check out the neighborhood.
The goal “is to create a community with outdoor movies, walking trails, community barbecues, kennels, laundry facilities, and an amenity center,” according to TinyPortableCedarCabins.com.
