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    High-end mobile home parks may become part of the St. George landscape – KSL.com - November 4, 2021 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Mobile home parks are not what they used to be. Now they offer tree line landscape and amenities such as pools, spas and clubhouses with weight rooms often found in high-end communities. Date and location not specified. (Brett VA via Wikimedia Commons, St. George News)

    Estimated read time: Less than a minute

    ST. GEORGE High-end mobile home parks with additional space for recreational vehicles may be coming to St. George in the near future.

    Salt Lake City-based Mountain West Commercial Real Estate is eyeing St. George and Washington County for a potential expansion of their business model to Southern Utah, which will include manufactured homes a euphemism that once upon a time referred exclusively to a mobile home design.

    Today's manufactured homes bear little resemblance to the mobile homes that were bought prior to 1976 when all manufactured homes were considered "mobile."

    Now, the term mobile homes has been exchanged for manufactured homes, which also includes prefabricated homes and recreational vehicles with more than 400 square feet of living space.

    In the past year, Mountain West has continued to expand and broaden its services with its latest extension in developing manufactured housing parks for mobile homes as well as recreational vehicle investment opportunities for its clients.

    The advantage, industry analysts say is that high-end mobile homes usually offer a choice of floor plans and high-end interior options.

    Read the full article at St. George News.

    Continued here:
    High-end mobile home parks may become part of the St. George landscape - KSL.com

    Paid Advertisement: Oaks of Kokomo brings home ownership options to community – Kokomo Perspective - November 4, 2021 by Mr HomeBuilder

    The Loft The Loft is just one of many floor plan options available to future homeowners at The Oaks of Kokomo.

    A subdivision on the outskirts of the northeast side of the city is offering residents great options for home ownership, while also handling financing for future residents.

    The Oaks of Kokomo, 2000 County Road N. 250 E., a manufactured subdivision, has steadily grown over the past year, bringing life and community to a location better known for its cornfields.

    As the community takes shape with a mix of young families and retirees, development manager Jennifer Haasz is excited to expand into phase two, which will offer an additional 20-plus land home sites within the subdivision very quickly.

    Over the past year we have become a thriving little community, and Im excited about the new opportunities for growth as we near the start of phase two, Jennifer said.

    The Oaks of Kokomo is being built with the working families in mind. Homes start at $80 per square foot, with house sizes ranging from 1,000 to 2,400 square feet. The homes feature very similar construction specs as site built housing, along with northern wrapped insulation and smart home technology.

    Customization is one of the core attractions at The Oaks of Kokomo. Future residents may choose from a variety of cabinet and countertop styles in the kitchen and decide whether they want a walk-in shower or soothing tub in the bathroom.

    "The American Farmhouse kitchens with industrial accents throughout the rest of the home are huge right now, Jennifer said. The five bedroom, three bathroom loft floor-plan best demonstrate the latest available amenities in today's market.

    Endless possibilities extend to the exterior as well. Is your new home blue with a white picket fence or tan with a landscaped front yard ready for spring flowers?

    These homes also have two decks, concrete driveways, sidewalks and private mailboxes. Personal touches and options abound.

    Jennifer recommends clients work directly with the team at The Oaks to professionally assist them through the entire the process. They have many years working directly with banks that specialize in this type of financing.

    We are here to make the entire process much easier and flow quickly to get you into your home as quick as possible, Jennifer said.

    Turnaround for home completion is relatively short, with units ready in a matter of months compared to potentially waiting up to 18 months or more for a site-built house.

    Since the Kokomo workforce is at the heart and soul of the community, The Oaks of Kokomo is focused on offering the best options possible for home ownership. They work with banks specializing in manufactured homes that offer FHA loans, conventional loans, flexible terms and approvals for those with lower credit scores.

    Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free.Please support us by making a contribution.

    Our payments for owning your land and your home are often times cheaper than the current going rate for rent, Jennifer said.

    Most importantly, dont qualify yourself, she said of those who might believe themselves unable to attain a home in the community. Let us help qualify you.

    One of the many benefits of The Oaks of Kokomo is location. Residents get the best of both worlds: a quiet country setting with the amenities of city life only minutes away. Indiana 931 is a quick drive down 100 North, and with it comes restaurants, fast food options, Wal-Mart and the Markland Mall.

    Convenience is key when it comes to a healthy work and life balance. A home in The Oaks of Kokomo is within an easy drive to GM, Chrysler, Community Howard Regional Health and Ivy Tech, making it the perfect location for those who want to spend as much time at home with their loved ones as possible.

    The location also falls within the highly sought after Northwestern School District.

    Our current as well as future residents love that such a beautiful community is right here in Northwestern! There are very few homes available in Northwestern, Jennifer said.

    Jennifer has made Kokomo her home over the past few years. Originally from northeast Ohio, she has owned multiple manufactured housing retail sales centers in Kentucky and Tennessee before moving into land development and housing subdivisions. After taking a short break from the industry, she joined up with business partner and investor Tupper Baker.

    We both have an absolute passion to help people, she said of their friendship.

    Thats what makes me proud to work for Jen and Tupper, said sales manager Mike Huskey. Their hearts are in the right place.

    The Oaks of Kokomo opened sooner than expected, Jennifer said, due to a demand for housing. Because of this, much of the land is still under development, but the final product will have below ground utilities, new streets with decorative lighting, street signs and an entrance way welcoming residents and visitors.

    If a Kokomo resident already owns land but wants a new home, as a retail manufactured housing dealer, Jennifer said there are many available floor plans and styles to choose from. Jennifer provides an easy turn-key, start-to-finish service, helping you get into your dream home on your own property. All someone has to do is call.

    Jennifer can be reached by calling or texting 765-614-8807. Mike can also be reached at 765-210-3856. You may also email kokomohomes181@gmail.com for more information or visit theoaksofkokomo.com for pictures, virtual tours and links to social media accounts.

    The experienced team at The Oaks of Kokomo is looking forward to showing you just how easy it is to own your own home and land. They look forward to meeting you.

    See the article here:
    Paid Advertisement: Oaks of Kokomo brings home ownership options to community - Kokomo Perspective

    2022 Biloxi Manufactured Housing Show: Registration and Housing Now Open – PRNewswire - November 4, 2021 by Mr HomeBuilder

    BILOXI, Miss., Oct. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --The future of housing is here with the 2022 Biloxi Manufactured Housing Show. Registration and housing are now open for this one-of-a-kind industry event taking place March 28 - 31, 2022 at the IP Casino Resort Spa in Biloxi, Mississippi.

    Members of the media are encouraged to secure their complimentary media credentials to learn more about manufactured homes and their role as a quality affordable housing solution.

    The historic Biloxi, Mississippi is located in the southeastern region of the country and can be found nestled on the Gulf of Mexico between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama. This city surprises visitors with year-round celebrations, extensive dining options, casinos, and more. The event's venue, IP Casino Resort Spa features exquisite water views, bustling restaurants, easy access to the main throughways, and close proximity to all the action. And most importantly, this new venue brings the exhibitors and home displays closer than ever before. Attendees will be able to easily and quickly explore between the expo hall and home display lot.

    Manufactured housing professionals are encouraged to register and secure their hotel rooms today, so they can: CONNECT, LEARN, TOUR and PROGRESS in Biloxi. The following are highlights of the upcoming show:

    For full details, registration and information on exhibiting or sponsoring at the manufactured housing's premier event can be found at http://www.biloxihomeshow.com.

    About Biloxi Manufactured Housing ShowFormerly known as the Tunica Show, this new city and venue will be the home to over a thousand professionals, the newest home models, educational workshops, and exhibitors in the MH industry for three days. The event is being hosted by the South Central Manufactured Housing Institute (SCHMI) and managed by the industry-centric digital marketing agency ManufacturedHomes.com.

    CONTACT:Kaitlyn Palatucci Phone:949-216-0521Email:[emailprotected]

    SOURCE Biloxi Manufactured Housing Show

    http://www.biloxihomeshow.com

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    2022 Biloxi Manufactured Housing Show: Registration and Housing Now Open - PRNewswire

    The Best Mobile Home Movers of 2021 – BobVila.com - November 4, 2021 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Moving a mobile home is a unique challenge that will require the assistance of the best mobile home movers available. Merely hooking up a house and hauling it away oversimplifies the complicated process of inspecting the house, obtaining permits, ensuring proper licensing, and the actual moving of the entire house itself. With the right mobile home movers on your side, youll be well positioned to reposition your beloved house to its new location.

    Mobile home transport can be a tricky process since there are a number of factors to consider. It takes due diligence to find a qualified mobile home moving company that can legally transport the mobile home to its new destination. Evaluating key considerations can help you make an informed decision.

    Its important to choose a moving company that is qualified and licensed to haul a mobile home as far as it needs to be moved. Local mobile home movers might be able to move it within the state, but they must have interstate licensing to haul it through states and into the destination state. If the mobile home is being moved across international borders, additional licensing and permits are required. Another consideration is the type of roads that need to be traveled. A wide load doesnt turn easily, so the semitruck may need to use alternate routes to arrive safely. These detours can increase the time and distanceand therefore costof the relocation.

    According to Statista, as of 2021, Texas, Florida, and Louisiana are the states with the most mobile homes. We chose to focus a select number of our top providers from those states.

    Mobile homes need to be assessed to determine if they are structurally sound enough to be moved. If they are, then the size and weight are evaluated to in part determine the cost. Older mobile homes tend to weigh 35 to 40 pounds per square foot, while recently built manufactured homes weigh 40 to 45 pounds per square foot. The heavier weight means additional equipment is typically needed for the deconstruction and hauling of the home. A mobile home that is 800 square feet means there could be 40,000 pounds of materials being moved, so its possible that more than one truck will be needed to complete the move.

    The size of the house also needs to be considered. Single-wide trailers can be hauled on a highway with minimal interference (though it is considered a wide load), but a double-wide trailer or larger has to be deconstructed and hauled in two or more pieces. Excessively large pieces may even require lane closures on some roads, which requires the help of local law enforcement to ensure the safety of all drivers.

    Many mobile homes require a fair amount of preparation in order to be moved, and some services are expected to be completed by the homeowner. At minimum, utilities need to be shut off and any outer attachments like porches should be removed. Other services like removing and reinstalling the foundation and other features, or removing and reconnecting a double-wide trailer might apply as well. Depending on your needs, check with each moving company to see which services they offer and how they charge for each service.

    An existing mobile home insurance policy might cover the home during relocation transport, but if not, then its necessary to obtain liability insurance. This is important to have on top of the insurance that the mobile home movers are required to havemake sure to verify that they have liability insurance of their own.

    Since moving a mobile home is a more complex job than RV trailer moving, each job presents its own unique challenges that can affect the total timeline. The distance and the size of the house are two primary factors that influence timing. Once permits are obtained, it can take 3 to 10 hours to prepare a traditional mobile home for moving. A large, manufactured house could take days. The trucks used to haul the home will travel more slowly than other vehicles, so if its being hauled a few hundred miles, it may take several days to arrive. Reconstructing the mobile home at the new site can take from a few hours to a couple of days to complete. Choose a company that can get the job done within a similar timeline of these estimates to help ensure youre working with a reputable company.

    The cost to move a mobile home is difficult to nail down since there are so many factors to consider. According to moving.com, on average, a short move of 50 miles could cost between $5,000 and $8,000 for a single-wide trailer, including permits and setup fees. A double-wide trailer with the same circumstances could cost between $10,000 and $13,000. Moving a mobile home across state lines will increase the cost due to time and distance, so its possible for the total cost to reach $20,000 or more.

    Accidents happen. If one occurs, you want to feel confident that there is a company representative ready and willing to help. Part of the vetting process may need to include speaking with one or more company representatives to build confidence in their attentiveness and willingness to provide solutions in the event of an emergency.

    The decision to hand over the move of a home thats unique and special can be daunting. Choosing the right company to handle the challenging process of moving a mobile home builds confidence and ensures a smooth transaction. To help homeowners transport their homes safely, quickly, and legally, we recommend Heavy Haulers as our top choice for mobile home movers.

    Photo: heavyhaulers.com

    Why It Made the Cut: Heavy Haulers can transport mobile homes of all sizes nationwide to all 50 statesplus Canada and Mexicousing a team of bonded, licensed, and insured drivers and movers.

    Heavy Haulers, a division of Nationwide Transport Services, is capable of getting movers to your house and relocating it to its new, accessible destination (as long as the house is structurally movable), regardless of where you live in the United States. They have offices throughout the country to help assist people looking to move mobile homes, freight, and heavy equipment. Since they offer a variety of services, its a safe bet that they have the equipment necessary to move even a complicated manufactured house.

    Though Heavy Haulers cant guarantee exact pickup or delivery datesthere are complexities to ensuring drivers are accessible anywhere in the countrythey have several available points of contact and great 24/7 customer service to help homeowners feel secure in booking with them. The fact that its also a family owned and operated business is also a nice touch.

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    Photo: nexusautotransport.com

    Why It Made the Cut: Nexus Auto Transport specializes in transporting cars across the country, but they have branched out into transporting mobile homes for reasonably affordable prices.

    Nexus can accommodate mobile home transport across the lower contiguous 48 states. Their specialty is auto transport, which is helpful for mobile home owners who also need a car moved. Nexus can accommodate short notice mobile home pickup and delivery in many caseslikely in more populated areas. Since this company is still growing, they do occasionally broker out some moves to other companies who have a greater presence in some areas. As a bonus, you can also book a car shipment with them if you have more cars than drivers.

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    Photo: uship.com

    Why It Made the Cut: As a transportation marketplace, UShip helps bring feedback-rated movers and clients together to fill the exact needs of the mobile home thats being moved.

    UShip operates as a marketplace broker that facilitates the decision-making process of finding qualified haulers to move a mobile home (and other goods). The advantage of this system is that you can quickly compare prices and feedback of qualified movers to help make a decision about who to hire by choosing from any available moving company. In addition, there are movers available for hire who can take care of the packing and moving of all your personal items. However, since its only a brokerage marketplace, any problems or concerns with a mover can only be solved directly between the two parties. UShip will help facilitate communication between the two parties, but wont handle disputes. The contracts are also somewhat loose to allow for unexpected circumstances, so haulers can cancel at frustratingly short notice. Fortunately, there are plenty of other movers to find on this platform to fill the gap if needed.

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    Photo: innovationmovers.com

    Why It Made the Cut: Innovation Movers is an all-service mobile home moving company in Texas that offers friendly customer support and additional services for special circumstances.

    For mobile home owners moving within Texas, Innovation Movers is our top choice since they are locally owned and operated. This company also specializes in the before and after services involved in simple or complicated moves, such as grading the new location if needed. If you need to move within a week, its likely theyll be able to accommodate you. Its important to note that they only operate within Texas; however, they do provide the legal permits homeowners need to move within the state. Innovation Movers strives for transparency in their communication and services, and they have customer support available by phone and email.

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    Photo: mhmove.com

    Why It Made the Cut: J&S Homes is a proven, 40-year business with lots of experience moving mobile homes throughout Florida (with a primary focus on central Florida), with the added perk of free estimates.

    Businesses that have been around for decades tend to have a reliable track record of successful operations and happy customers, and J&S Homes is no exception. They state that they can move mobile homes to their new location within Florida (not out of state) within a weekbarring severe weather challenges. This short turnaround is helpful for homeowners, especially since J&S also helps with all permitting needs. They also boast transparency when it comes to insurance and permits.

    There are no online quotes available, but thats due to the company preferring to meet with you in person to provide an accurate assessment and quote. Site and home preparation services are also included to help homeowners move smoothly into their new location. Most importantly, J&S Homes provides tie-down and anchoring services for mobile homes to meet FHA hurricane regulations in Florida that are intended to reduce damage and protect homeowners.

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    Photo: bbsmobilehometransport.com

    Why It Made the Cut: BBs Mobile Home Transport specializes in moving mobile homes of all typesand foundationsin addition to raising mobile homes as a flood countermeasure.

    With over 40 years of mobile home moving experience, BBs Mobile Home Transport is capable of handling just about any unique situation that comes their way. Though they primarily service homes within the state of Louisiana, theyre familiar with the challenging terrain and elements that Louisiana has, which means they can ensure a mobile home is relocated safely. There are only limited options for moving in the Gulf Coast area, so potential customers are encouraged to call or email for details.

    BBs can handle mobile homes on blocks or anchors and build a raised foundation to protect the home against flooding that may occur. In addition, they now offer FHA foundation retrofitting to provide mobile homes with more security against severe weather events. Its an extra service that helps homeowners feel safe and secure in their newly relocated mobile home.

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    Photo: nationwideunitedautotransport.com

    Why It Made the Cut: Offering nationwide mobile home transport, Nationwide United Auto Transport is licensed, bonded, and insured to move manufactured homes, mobile homes, tiny homes, and more.

    Nationwide United Auto Transport is a large logistics firm that is capable of offering expedited transport options for many customers. They have 15 years of experience, so theyre well positioned to have the equipment and manpower necessary to handle just about any moving complexity. While their prices may be more expensive than others, they offer 24/7 support, which gives customers confidence that any questions or challenges can be resolved quickly. They help each customer assess the additional services needed to remove and place the mobile home, survey the route for logistical challenges, and assess the permits needed for a local or cross-country move. Note: As of the publication of this guide on 10/29/2021, Nationwide United Auto Transport has suspended its mobile home transport service until further notice.

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    Great customer service, adequate service area, and extra services are all key components to choosing the best mobile home movers. Thats why we chose Heavy Haulers as our top choice, since they have the largest service area, all the necessary equipment, and a proven track record of helpful, accessible customer support. Some homeowners might prefer using the UShip marketplace where they can easily price shop and book directly with any number of moving companies.

    While much depends on the location of your move and any unique circumstances you may be in, there are a few elements that stood out to us when reviewing the top mobile-home moving companies. We evaluated companies that have local, statewide, nationwide, and international moving options to provide the coverage needed for any homeowner. We evaluated the websites of each company and took the overall customer reviews and experiences into account to make sure most customers enjoyed a satisfactory or pleasant experience.

    Since the highest concentration of mobile homes exists in Texas, Florida, and Louisiana, it was important to include top local companies who have expert knowledge of the terrain and weather that impact mobile homes in those regions.

    Its not uncommon for a mobile home to be moved due to a change in ownership of the land where its placed. These moves are usually local and fairly easy to accommodate for a reasonable price. On the other hand, considering moving a mobile home across state lines can become complicated and expensive fairly quickly. This is even more true for manufactured homes that are a double-wide size or larger. Movers also have to assess whether the home is structurally sound enough to be taken apart and put back together, not to mention whether it can handle the jostling of a long road trip.

    If the cost to move a mobile home is more than its worth overall or the risk is too high to the structural integrity of the home, it may be best to consider simply purchasing a new mobile home near your preferred destination.

    Theres no easy answer to determine the cost of moving a mobile home since location, size, weight, distance, preparation, and any additional services all factor into the final cost. However, local moves are easier to estimate since there is a shorter distance to cover. As a general baseline, you can expect a single-wide trailer to cost $5,000 to $8,000 to move 50 miles. Larger trailers or longer distances quickly increase that price. An average cost per mile is $5 to $10, which may or may not apply to local moves within a certain radius. Its not impossible for a quote to reach $20,000 or more, depending on the complexity and distance of a move.

    No matter how powerful a truck and trailer are, moving a mobile home any measurable distance on your own is not recommendedand in many situations, its illegal. Mobile homes are massive, unwieldy objects that take skill and training to move successfully, which is why its so helpful to have experienced professionals do the hard job of taking it apart, transporting it, and setting it back up. Most importantly, licensed movers have the proper permits and interstate licenses to transport the home. Here are several reasons why its beneficial to hire mobile home movers.

    Choosing a great mobile home mover can be a challenging process, but with enough information, the right company can be found. The more details you understand about the process, the better position youll be in to make an informed decision. Consider the answers to these frequently asked questions.

    Anyone who is looking to relocate a mobile or manufactured home to a new destination. As long as the home is in good condition to be moved, and it works with the homeowners budget, mobile home movers can transport it to almost any location.

    The cost to move a mobile home depends on several critical factors like the size, weight, and location of the mobile home. In addition, the total distance heavily influences the final price. On average, it costs approximately $7,000 to move a mobile home less than 100 miles.

    Each state has a requirement for homeowners (or the moving company) to obtain a moving permit to transport the trailer to a new location. If the mobile home is being transported across state lines, additional permits are required to meet national transportation regulations.

    Most states require a licensed mover to complete any kind of transport of a mobile home. Proper permits are also required, and in some cases, the home might even need to be inspected before and after arrival. If any taxes are overdue on the property, they will need to be paid first as well. Check with the local HUD department to learn which laws will apply in your region.

    Sources: HomeAdvisor, MyMove, Move.org, SFGate, Moving.com

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    The Best Mobile Home Movers of 2021 - BobVila.com

    Farmworker housing initiative fell short of ambitious goal – Point Reyes Light - July 2, 2021 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Farmworker housing advocates are facing some hard lessons from a pilot project that fell drastically short of its goal. Starting in 2012, a collaborative between the Marin Community Foundation and Marin County used a combination of public and private funds to build and renovate agricultural worker housing on ranches in West Marin. The group initially planned to fund 200 units within five years, but later sharply reduced the goal to 20 units.

    In the end, only a dozen units were built, while the need for more affordable housing never went away.

    There were a number of lessons learned, including that using public funding on private land is really challenging, said Leelee Thomas, the planning manager with the Marin County Community Development Agency who led the project.

    Agricultural jobs are sometimes more desirable than other jobs in West Marin because they usually come with housing. On dairy farms in particular, its essential that workers live onsite or very nearby.

    They need to work two shifts, said Socorro Romo, executive director of West Marin Community Services. What they do is basically eat, sleep and work. A commute simply does not fit into the schedule.

    But having ones housing tied to ones work also presents a challenge. When they lose their job, they lose their house, Ms. Romo said.

    By 2012, a number of ranches in West Marin had shuttered, including Drakes Bay Oyster Farm, which displaced 32 workers. At the same time, the Marin Community Foundation had been preparing to spur a project to remedy the ongoing need for farmworker housing.

    A collaborative led by M.C.F. and the county involved a host of organizations, including West Marin Community Services, the Community Land Trust Association of West Marin, the Marin County Farm Bureau, the West Marin Fund and the Marin Agricultural Land Trust.

    Through the pilot project, the group tried to secure long-term, low-interest loans from the United States Department of Agriculture for ranchers to build housing. M.C.F. contributed $1 million, and property owners had to match the funding for each unit with either cash, land or utilities costs. Current workers would be prioritized, and no worker would pay more than 30 percent of their income for rent.

    But in most cases, restrictions on the federal funds proved prohibitive. With that model, it wasnt feasible, Ms. Thomas said.

    Johnathan Logan, the vice president of community engagement at M.C.F., said a 2015 post-mortem report on the project found that a lack of funds available for private land was the biggest obstacle. Public financing was simply too restrictive.

    The project did result in the construction or renovation of some units. One unit was replaced on the historic J Ranch, two were rehabilitated at Toluma Farms in Tomales, three were built at the Giacomini dairy, two at Bivalve Dairy, one at Stubbs Vineyard, and two at the Straus dairy. Theyre nearly all still occupied, and all but two are rent-free for the workers who live there.

    Tim Kehoe, whose family has been ranching at the J Ranch for 100 years, said the project allowed him to replace an aging trailer with a new manufactured home built by Little House on the Trailer, a Petaluma-based business. He secured funding from the county and M.C.F., and provided $10,000 to $15,000 in kind. Although he leases public land, he wasnt eligible for a U.S.D.A. loan since his five-year lease was much shorter than the 30-year term of the loan.

    Mr. Kehoe doesnt charge rent for the unit, and he pays all the utilities himself.

    At Toluma Farms, dairy farmers Tamara Hicks and David Jablons didnt qualify for a U.S.D.A. loan because of their income, which is boosted by Mr. Jablonss job as chief of thoracic surgery at U.C.S.F. They began rehabilitating two housing units on their farm but, Ms. Hicks said, it has been too expensive to finish. In the meantime, theyve housed some workers rent-free in units they own in Tomales and Dillon Beach.

    John Taylor, who runs Bivalve Dairy with his wife, Karen, replaced two older manufactured homes with a duplex manufactured by Karsten in 2015. The county put up the funding for the permit cycle, and initially told Mr. Taylor that the units would be funded by a U.S.D.A. loan. The Taylors paid for the unit themselves, but the restrictions of the loan turned out to be too burdensome, requiring them to work with the lands other owners, Ms. Taylors family, to put a lien on the property.

    We were left holding the bag, going, Okay, we just built this house, he said.

    Mr. Taylor charges rent on the two units, docking it from workers wages.

    Straus Family Creamery founder Albert Straus was part of the farmworker housing collaborative and had two three-bedroom manufactured houses built on his dairy in Marshall as a result. A turnover in the projects management interrupted the process of getting a U.S.D.A. loan, and although the county waived certain fees and expedited the process, he had to take out a loan from his own bank. Mr. Straus doesnt charge rent.

    He said the project was not a long-term solution for the needs of workers and farmers. It went through three managers while he was involved, and faced various obstacles to funding in the form of federal, county and state requirements.

    The management wasnt ideal, and the execution wasnt ideal either, Mr. Straus said.

    This spring, Mr. Straus moved the creamery operation to Petaluma, closer to where he said many employees already live. His attention is still trained on affordable housing projects in West Marin, and he is working with the county on a potential development in Tomales. Its not only ag worker housing, its affordable housing, he said of the problem. The whole communitys housing needs have become extreme.

    One dairy did meet the conditions for a low-interest U.S.D.A. loan: Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company. Co-owner Lynn Giacomini Stray was able to replace three modular homes for workers on the property. We were happy that we qualified, and we really would like to see more of that, she said.

    The dairy doesnt charge rent or utilities, and Ms. Stray said shed like to see more affordable housing options close to or on ranches and farms in West Marin. Our employees have to be close to work, because animals are a 24-hour operation, she said.

    Ms. Thomas said there were some things we could learn from that project that would still be feasible, but the county and M.C.F. are now primarily focused on off-ranch affordable housing in West Marin. Of the units that CLAM will develop on the former Coast Guard property in Point Reyes Station, a certain number may be set aside specifically for agricultural workers.

    Mr. Logan, who arrived at M.C.F. in 2016, said the foundations report acknowledged that the 2012 project had not come close to meeting the need for farmworker housing.

    Before the pandemic hit, the collaborative had reopened the conversation and was planning a needs assessment study. Mr. Logan said the group will likely meet again within the next month. They plan to survey the number of farmworkers and housing units in Marin and to identify more opportunities for housing on private land. Funding is still an obstacle, however, with regulations on public monies often onerous for private farmers.

    Ms. Thomas said she doesnt know of a source of public housing funding meant for private landowners.

    One group may be able to exert particular influence on farmworker housing through financial incentives: the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, which has control over the development rights for 54,000 acres of Marin farmland.

    MALT needs to play a role in this, Mr. Logan said.

    Jennifer Carlin, MALTs director of advancement, wrote in an email that the trust believes that everyone engaged in the agricultural value chain deserves a dignified living, including a safe and healthy place to live. MALTs easements allow any agricultural infrastructure thats necessary to support the farming operation, including housing for workers.

    Ms. Carlin said MALT is continuing to meet with M.C.F. and other groups as part of the collaborative, but the trust doesnt have its own committee to address housing needs.

    See original here:
    Farmworker housing initiative fell short of ambitious goal - Point Reyes Light

    At least 63 people have died in Oregon heatwave – PennLive - July 2, 2021 by Mr HomeBuilder

    At least 63 people throughout Oregon died from health issues related to the hot weather over the past few days, with 45 of those deaths in Multnomah County, authorities say.

    Portland broke heat records on three consecutive days, hitting a high temperature of 116 on Monday. Other parts of the state got even hotter, with many recording all-time high temperatures.

    Salem hit 117 on Monday, for example, and The Dalles reached 118. Pendleton was 118 degrees on Tuesday. Other Oregon cities, including Redmond and Bend, hit 108 over the weekend.

    Capt. Tim Fox, an Oregon State Police spokesperson, said the death toll as of Wednesday was based on reports from each countys medical examiner office, but that number could go up as agencies conduct more investigations and determine causes of death.

    The 63 fatalities were reported by six counties. Marion County, home to the state capital, reported nine deaths. Washington County reported five.

    The state medical examiner said Clackamas County had two heat-related deaths. Clackamas County, however, has only reported one death. Spokeswoman Kimberly Dinwiddie said an elderly woman died from probable heat-related causes and was found in a manufactured home without air-conditioning.

    The state examiner in an email said their offices count reflects what is currently documented in our system and classified as such. As these are active death investigations, the number likely will change over the next few days as more information is being gathered in each case.

    Columbia and Umatilla counties reported one fatality apiece.

    The death in Columbia County, which happened Tuesday, was of an 83-year-old woman living by herself in the unincorporated part of Scappoose, said county Sheriff Brian Pixley.

    MULTNOMAH COUNTY

    The Multnomah County Medical Examiner said those who died in Oregons most populous county ranged in age from 44 to 97. Many of them had underlying health conditions.

    The Multnomah County victims include 17 women and 27 men. Many of those who died were found alone with no air conditioning or fans, officials said.

    The county medical examiner said the preliminary cause of death for the countys victims was hyperthermia, or an abnormally high body temperature caused by a failure of the body to deal with heat coming from the environment.

    Julie Sullivan-Springhetti, a county spokesperson, said the number of urgent care and emergency department visits in the county over the weekend surpassed the usual number for an entire summer.

    Sullivan-Springhetti said the county on Monday had an all-time high of 491 calls for emergency medical assistance a 63% increase from the normal rate.

    She said the county health department is still analyzing data, but early estimates show hospitals were reporting between two and five times more cardiac arrests than usual.

    Death information was shared as soon as the information was gathered, Sullivan-Springhetti said.

    We were sounding the alarm every day and warning the community that this heat wave was deadly, she said.

    County staff and officials worked as quickly as possible to tally numbers, Sullivan-Springhetti said. Very few calls came in to the Multnomah County Medical Examiners office until late Monday night when county investigators took 55 calls in 24 hours.

    This is four times the level of calls ever experienced, Sullivan-Springhetti said.

    More than half the calls required an in-person investigation.

    There were three Multnomah County death investigators and there were so many calls, Sullivan-Springhetti said. The chief medical examiner herself was going out on calls until midnight (on Tuesday) and again (Wednesday) morning.

    As the clock struck 10 a.m. Wednesday, Multnomah County Chief Medical Examiner Kimberly Dileo started the arduous process of reading through 100 reports of natural and other deaths to determine which deaths were from excessive heat, Sullivan-Springhetti said. Dileo finished the full investigation by 1:30 p.m.

    While most individuals died in their homes, it is not yet known how many individuals were experiencing homelessness at their time of death, Sullivan-Springhetti said. Determining that statistic will take additional investigation.

    ACROSS OREGON AND ELSEWHERE

    A farmworker, who has not been identified, died in St. Paul on Saturday, when temperatures reached 104 degrees. He was found unresponsive in the field at the end of his shift at Ernst Nursery and Farms, according to the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health division. He had been working on a crew moving irrigation lines, the agency said.

    Two people, who also have not been identified, died at a homeless camp in Bend over the weekend, and homeless outreach workers are attributing the deaths to heat-related causes, as reported by The Bulletin. Temperatures reached 104 degrees in Bend on Sunday, the day the deaths were reported.

    The figures provided by the state listed no deaths in Deschutes County. It wasnt immediately clear whether the farmworker was included in the Marion County tally.

    Meanwhile in Washington, the King County medical examiners office, which covers an area including Seattle, said a total of 13 people had died from heat-related causes. In neighboring Snohomish County, three men ages 51, 75 and 77 died after experiencing heatstroke in their homes, the medical examiners office told the Daily Herald in Everett on Tuesday. Four deaths have also been linked to heat in Kitsap County, west of Seattle.

    Elsewhere in Washington, the Spokane Fire Department found two people who had been suffering symptoms of heat-related stress dead in an apartment building Wednesday, TV station KREM reported.

    British Columbias chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe, said her office received reports of at least 486 sudden and unexpected deaths between Friday and Wednesday. Normally, she said about 165 people would die in the Canadian province over a five-day period.

    While it is too early to say with certainty how many of these deaths are heat related, it is believed likely that the significant increase in deaths reported is attributable to the extreme weather, LaPointe said in a statement.

    CLIMATE CHANGE AND EXTREME HEAT

    Extreme heat has been on the rise in Oregon over the last 80 years. In Portland and Pendleton, the number of days that reach 90 or higher per year has increased by eight since 1940, according to a statewide climate assessment released earlier this year. Medford has seen that number increase by 21 days, an extra three weeks per year.

    No single type of weather event kills more Americans than extreme heat. It kills more than hurricanes and floods combined. Heat has twice the death toll of tornadoes and four times the death toll of extreme cold, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

    Climate scientists have long said that events like the one that hit the Pacific Northwest this weekend are likely to be more intense, last for longer and happen more frequently as the climate continues to warm because of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.

    Noelle Crombie, Jayati Ramakrishnan, Nicole Hayden, Maxine Bernstein, Savannah Eadens, Kale Williams and Rob Davis of The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report. The Associated Press also contributed.

    See original here:
    At least 63 people have died in Oregon heatwave - PennLive

    Elon Musk lives in a prefab "house" next to the SpaceX base for which he pays $250 a month. – Amico Hoops - July 2, 2021 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Elon Musk is the second richest person in the world, with an estimated fortune of 151 thousand million dollars Forbes.

    But unlike other emperors, Musk does not live in a large palace located in a very exclusive neighborhood. In fact, the founder of electric car company Tesla and space company SpaceX appears to reside, it has been revealed, in a tiny 20-by-20-foot (about 35-square-meter) home in a secluded location in the far south. Just a few steps from the border with Mexico.

    Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpacerX and the second richest person in the world, according to Forbes magazine. (Reuters)

    Newspaper Houston Chronicle He states that Musk lives in a manufactured home that costs only $50,000 and pays rent of $250 a month to his company, SpaceX.

    This tiny house is located in Boca Chica, Texas, where the SpaceX rocket launch and test base is located.

    Musk, who has listed at least seven mansions he owns in California, are valued at $100 million according to him. interested in tradeHe kept only one mansion in the San Francisco area, which he uses exclusively for juveniles.

    Musk himself confirmed in a tweet on Twitter, My main residence is literally a house under $50,000 in Boca Chica/Starbus, which I rent from SpaceX. Its awesome. The only home I own is one for juveniles. In the Bay Area [de San Francisco].

    the gate Teslarati He revealed that this house is the ready-made model approved by the companys Casita name boxableSpecializing in Design and installation of high-tech prefab homes. Made of steel plates and concrete, this tiny house is easy to transport and assemble and costs less than many Tesla models.

    It looks comfortable for one person, or even a couple, and would obviously work well with Musk as a studio located next to his companys rocket launch and test center. In addition, it serves to accentuate the image of detachment towards matter and commitment to its ideal of colonizing Mars, which is the ultimate goal of SpaceX.

    Keep reading the story

    The Casita by Boxabl style includes a full kitchen with double sink, oven, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher, and cabinets; Full bathroom spaces for living room, bedroom, washing machine, air conditioning, heating and LED lighting, among other details.

    Boxabl certainly did not miss the opportunity to do marketing and play on the idea of simultaneously helping solve the problems of affordable housing on Earth and providing SpaceX with homes to colonize Mars.

    However, singer Grimes, Musks girlfriend and mother of their son, is said to apparently not live in this house but in Austin, Texas, so, for now, the unit that Boxabl has installed for SpaceX and Musk will serve as the poles workspace remain. Boca Chica, even if his family resides elsewhere.

    Go here to see the original:
    Elon Musk lives in a prefab "house" next to the SpaceX base for which he pays $250 a month. - Amico Hoops

    CL broker points to his history in winning award – The Friday Flyer - July 2, 2021 by Mr HomeBuilder

    From a rough start as a child struggling with asthma and pneumonia to a career that included a blind-side layoff after securing a multi-billion-dollar contract for his employer, Canyon Lake resident Mike Duffy has emerged as a major player in the local commercial real estate market. Mike was honored at an industry luncheon last week as the City of Menifees Commercial Broker of the Year for 2021.

    Mikes commercial real estate success at Coldwell Banker Associated Brokers is the culmination of 13 other careers. The 57-year-old successful businessperson fashioned a dynamic, growing business from those steps to success.

    Mike Duffy speaks after accepting the City of Menifees Commercial Broker of the Year for 2021. Mike lives in Canyon Lake and works for Coldwell Banker Associated Brokers.

    The recent award from Menifee is particularly noteworthy because Menifee is the fourth fastest-growing city in Riverside County and sixth fastest-growing city in all of Southern California. Menifee is growing at twice the rate as its neighboring Southwest Riverside County cities.

    The events that led up to Mikes noteworthy contribution to the burgeoning citys vibrant economic development demonstrate that adversity and challenges are great steppingstones to a successful future for some people. Mikes life started with challenges.

    As a child, I had asthma and pneumonia and wasnt doing well, he said. Our family doctor suggested swimming to build my body up. That changed my life from declining to thriving. In my first year as a 7-year-old swimmer, I qualified for Junior Olympics in Orange County and won a silver medal. That was my first life lesson if you put hard work in, have good coaches, and you listen to them and follow their guidance, you can achieve what you and others can be proud of.

    Mike became Orange Countys second-best butterfly swimmer in his age class.

    Swimming success wasnt his last life lesson at a young age. Mike wanted to go to a YMCA camp, but his parents told him they couldnt afford to send him. Faced with this obstacle, the 9-year-old entrepreneur talked his teacher into giving him two cases of toffee-covered peanuts and sold them door-to-door. He earned enough from those sales for YMCA camp two years in a row.

    Selling door-to-door was a great lesson in determination and persistence, Mike said. With each door he knocked on, he dreamed of going to camp, and that exuberance spilled over into an enthusiastic, happy face that melted the resistance of those he encountered with his peanuts. It was a worthy cause, and he gained confidence with each transaction.

    Mikes education continued into his teenage years. His business stints in lawn mowing and jobs at pizza parlors gave him invaluable experience. He learned to work with customers and develop a pleasing personality. He found that his integrity brought customers back.

    From junior high through college, Mike played on football teams, generally as a defensive back. During high school, he lettered in not only football, but in three other sports his senior year. As a competitor, he thrived on learning and achieving.

    Football also brought challenges hed endure the rest of his life. His first concussion happened during the homecoming game in his senior year of high school. It wasnt his last. Long before rules and protocols kept players out of the game when knocked out, he suffered 10 more concussions in college as a defensive back and punt returner.

    As a result of all of the head injuries, Mike now wears a hearing aid to drown out the sound of tinnitus, a debilitating ringing in the ear condition. Despite otherwise normal hearing, to compensate for the ringing in his ears and the resultant drowning out of conversations, Mike developed the ability to read lips.

    Mikes parents owned a mechanical parts business in Orange County during his high school and young adult years. He worked there while in high school and for six years after getting a bachelors degree in Business Administration from Cal Lutheran University.

    Observing his self-employed parents was an up-close experience in the rewards and sacrifices of working for oneself. He learned that the ups and downs of the industry required a steady attitude as finances waxed and waned. During slow times, it was essential to work hard and look beyond the present to a more prosperous future. During good years he saw how vital it was to prepare for the inevitable lean times.

    After working in the family business, Mike said he discovered his work ethic and integrity determined his income. A steady paycheck was undoubtedly valuable, but he said he dreamed of not having a limit to his income and of driving hard toward the future despite not knowing how much money he would make each year.

    His dream in college was to eventually work in the stock market or the bond market. Mike ultimately pursued neither career path as he continued to work in the family business.

    Yet another step toward his recent honor as Menifees Commercial Broker of the Year came during a brief stint in the mortgage business as a home loan officer. In 1992, mortgage interest rates continued their decline from the previous decades almost 20% rates and dropped below 10%.

    Mike was surprised to see other loan officers with tears in their eyes after believing theyd never see mortgage rates under double digits again. The mortgage business gave Mike an understanding of the needs and perspectives of actuaries and underwriters.

    In 1994, returning to his entrepreneurial instincts, Mike and a friend started a business helping owners of manufactured homes secure and use FEMA grants for necessary seismic upgrades after the devastating Northridge earthquake. While the company only lasted for a couple of years, Mikes lessons about financing and helping others were another stepping stone for his future.

    In 1995, Mike went to work for insurance industry giant Aetna, becoming one of the top sales managers in the country before taking a break after five years to help once again in the family business.

    In 2006, Mike got a brokers license while briefly self-employed and became the broker of record for three independent loan officers. This was his second stint into real estate finance, adding to his cumulative education.

    He returned to Aetna in 2007, worked up to National Sales Manager for the Individual Health Insurance Line while dabbling in real estate on the side. In 2016, he had just secured a multi-billion-dollar contract for Aetna when the corporation decided to shut down that part of their business, and Mike and his entire division were out of work. The decision had blindsided them. It was a moment of reckoning and reflection for Mike, and he said it had him recounting the life lessons he had learned and looking for how they could help his future.

    Mike transitioned from a corporate job to being self-employed in residential real estate. He and his wife, Kim, had just moved to Canyon Lake. Mike called his uncle, a wholesale lender, to get the name of the largest real estate company in their new community. His uncle mentioned Coldwell Banker Associated Brokers. Mike called and, in 2017, signed on with the firm.

    Mike credits Chuck Whitehead and Margaret McCoy of Coldwell Banker Associated Brokers for his success.

    I loved their teaching and I faithfully went to their mentor class, Mike said. I attended every training event and conference call. Their generosity and patient mentoring grounded us and gave us excellent role models to follow.

    It wasnt easy, he said. Mike contacted everyone he knew and worked on social media. He quickly gained 20 prospects.

    Man, I thought this was going to be easy, Mike said. I wrote 33 different offers. They were all turndowns except for the last one. After six months with no income, that 34th offer resulted in a $1200 commission.

    His wife Kim got her license that same month, and over the next six months, the couple closed over $3 million in sales. In 2018, after their first full year in the business, Mike and Kim were honored as Rookies of the Year from the large Realty firm. Later that year, they were named to the Best of the Best Realtors by the readers of Inland Empire Magazine.

    Mike said he ventured into commercial real estate through his work on the residential side. One of the buyers showed him a Canyon Lake property of a large ranch that he wanted to sell. That listing for the $6 million property was the beginning of his commercial work and led him to co-found the Unique Properties Division of Coldwell Banker Associated Brokers Realty.

    His first commercial transaction was selling an industrial property to the City of Lake Elsinore. Mike soon worked on churches, shopping centers, and other commercial leases and sales from that launchpad.

    The commercial real estate information, analytics, and marketing services industry giant CoStar Group honored Mike as the PowerBroker Quarterly Award Winner for Q4 2020.

    In February 2021, after almost two years of work, Mike was part of the listing team that sold the iconic Cherry Hills Shopping Center in the heart of the citys northern shopping district for over $13 million. Later, Menifee asked CoStar to identify the top Menifee commercial agent, which turned out to be Mike, leading to him being honored as the City of Menifees Commercial Broker of the Year for 2021.

    Mike expressed great satisfaction in fulfilling his dream, which came about through his unique series of career choices.

    I have the embedded belief that God loves me and that God loves a comeback story, Mike said. Come what may, I could fail, but I know one thing for certain, no matter what, God, my parents, my wife, my children, and my grandchildren will always love me. Thats the bedrock foundation that my life and career are built on.

    His advice to people who are searching for their way in life is straightforward.

    Find someone who believes you can do it, then find a way to get in front of them and let them mentor you, he said. Without the support and leadership of Chuck Whitehead and Margaret McCoy at Coldwell Banker Associated Brokers Realty, none of this would have been possible.

    Whats next for this grandfather of seven?

    Im so happy that I can now be a mentor for another agent, Mike said. Were working hard to develop a formidable, powerhouse commercial division that handles all kinds of commercial business. My goal in 10 years is to help build the most influential commercial real estate group in Southwest Riverside County, making an even greater contribution to the success of Coldwell Banker Associated Brokers Realty.

    Read more from the original source:
    CL broker points to his history in winning award - The Friday Flyer

    A year after Sitka made space for tiny homes, no one is building them – KCAW - May 9, 2021 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Stephanie Kruse and her husband paid a company in British Columbia to build their roughly 8.5 x 20 foot tiny home. Living in it allowed them to save money for travel and a down payment on a traditional house. (Photo by Erin McKinstry/KCAW)

    Tiny homes have gained traction in recent years as an affordable housing alternative, but building them legally poses challenges in many communities. Sitka was one of the first cities in the country to introduce a set of tiny home friendly code changes last year. But, a year after passing the groundbreaking ordinance, no one is building them.

    A few years back, Stephanie Kruse and her husband decided they were sick of renting.

    They moved around a lot for Kruses job, so buying a house wasnt a great option. Besides, with Southeast Alaskas high rental rates, they werent saving enough for a down payment.

    Its hard to put away money when youre paying so much in rent. And you know, at the end of the year, you dont get anything back from that besides having had a place to live, Kruse said. So, for us, we wanted to do something that would allow us to build some equity with that 1200 plus dollars a month we were paying in rent and housing costs.

    They looked at manufactured homes and RVs, but ultimately settled on a tiny house on wheels.

    We preferred the tiny house for a lot of reasons. One of them for sure is that a tiny house holds its value a lot better than an RV because its built with more traditional construction materials that are meant to withstand the weather. And then also, you know, theyre whimsical and fun and interesting.

    With beige siding and a blue metal roof, the roughly 170-square-foot house looks like a mini single-family home. Kruse and her husband took out an RV loan and paid a company in British Columbia to build it. They moved it to Juneau on the ferry and parked it on a shared lot.

    When Kruses job brought them to Sitka, the tiny house came with them. Even with their loan payment and the cost to rent a spot at a local RV park, Kruse said they were paying a couple hundred dollars less a month than if they were renting.

    I think the kind of ruling concept for people who do small homes or tiny homes is a small house for a big life. If you can reduce your housing expenses and kind of minimize that in your life, but still make it a pleasant place to be, Kruse said. And that gives you the ability to kind of put your funding towards the things that you are really passionate about in your life.

    For Kruse and her husband, that meant a trip to Japan and saving to buy a regular house. And when they sold the tiny house and left Sitka for the Pacific Northwest, thats exactly what they did.

    I think its a really great stepping stone to home ownership like it was for us.

    But even though rent in Sitka is high and home ownership can be cost prohibitive, people in Sitka arent following in Kruses footsteps. Thats despite changes to the citys building and zoning codes a little over a year ago to make tiny homes easier to build. Pat Swedeen is Sitkas Building Official.

    Theres definitely been a few individuals who have been interested in it. Weve also had actually a couple of companies think about maybe trying to go that route, Sitkas Building Official Pat Swedeen said. Thus far we havent had anybody actually begin that proper process of permitting and, and constructing a tiny home.

    Even before the changes, Sitka didnt have a minimum house size, but meeting building standards for small structures was a challenge. So Sitka adopted a set of international regulations to make it easier to build houses under 400 square feet, allowing for things like ladders and lower ceilings.

    It also addressed a legal grey area for tiny homes on wheels. Before last March, Sitka considered them RVs like almost any other place in the country, and legally, you cant live in an RV year-round in Sitka. Now, they have their own designation. Theyre allowed in trailer courts, and there are some zones where they can be placed on lots by themselves with planning commission approval.

    The two main barriers in most places are zoning and building codes, Tiny Home Industry Association communications director Alexis Stephens said. She said Sitkas changes are a big step in the right direction. Sitka is one of just a few across the country to update their zoning regulations to be more tiny home friendly.The progress is really picking up but to put that into context, theres almost 90,000 municipalities in the United States, having more than a dozen embracing tiny homes, still leaves quite a bit of work to do.

    And even with the regulations changes, there are still barriers like the cost of construction, Swedeen said.

    Per square foot, a tiny home isnt really super affordable. You know, since its small, its not like the cost of building a 2500 square foot house. But you know, you still need to have cooking appliances, you still need to have heating appliances, you still need to have bathing facilities and a toilet and things like that.

    Financing and land availability are also big hurdles. Tiny homes on wheels arent allowed as accessory dwelling units in Sitka, so you cant just buy one and park it in someones yard.

    Jennifer Younger bought Kruses tiny home as an affordable option for her son. Much like Kruse, it allowed him to save money to buy his own house. Now, theyre looking to sell, but Younger said land availability has stopped a lot of buyers.

    Weve had several people very interested and check it out and its a beautifully built little home, but people just dont have property to put it on, she said.

    Even though tiny homes havent taken off, Sitka Conservation Society Sustainable Communities catalyst Chandler OConnell said she isnt discouraged. SCS partnered with a Sitka High School construction class to build their own tiny house a few years ago. Their efforts to sell it sparked a community conversation, which contributed to the eventual code changes.

    And I think our learning from past code changes is it takes a while for that information out there. It takes a while for people to understand the implications and think about how they want to implement that in their own building decisions. Im excited to see how it can shape Sitkas housing market over the next few years.

    She said she sees tiny homes as one affordable housing option of many. They wont work for everyone, but its about getting more tools in Sitkas housing toolbelt.

    Throughout April and May, KCAW News will be bringing you stories about affordable housing solutions every Friday as part of our Building Solutions series. Erin McKinstry is a Report for America corps member.

    Read the original here:
    A year after Sitka made space for tiny homes, no one is building them - KCAW

    Little homes in the valley | Local News | lagrandeobserver.com – La Grande Observer - May 9, 2021 by Mr HomeBuilder

    LA GRANDE A local home builder is offering a small solution to a countywide housing problem tiny homes.

    Megan Fehrenbacher, owner of Mega Tiny Homes in La Grande, has been building tiny homes for just over two years, starting out with a small cottage she built after a friends retreat burned down in Tollgate.

    Fehrenbacher said the business has an important role in not only building affordable homes for the community, but as a form of rehabilitation. She said she had grown frustrated with substance abuse treatment centers, which she saw as a retreat that did not prepare its graduates for life after therapy.

    I wanted to start a work rehab, where they dont just go to rehab and talk about themselves, Fehrenbacher said.

    The inspiration comes from her son, who she said struggled with substance abuse disorders in the past. Now, shes helping to build futures.

    My son went through 18 rehabs, said Fehrenbacher, noting the most beneficial to her sons health were work rehabs, where he would spend time on farms or recycling centers working and building up his marketable skills.

    All of the other rehabs, he would get out and nobody wanted him, Fehrenbacher said. I said to myself, I can do this better.

    She built her first tiny home with the assistance of Stacey Bowman, who now works for Mega Tiny Homes.

    I learned a lot, Fehrenbacher said.

    Navigating through the codes and requirements of homebuilding, such as proper electrical work, was a challenge for the fledgeling homebuilder. Still, orders began coming in.

    Her first order was for 60 houses. However, the order was a sham, with the buyer fronting the money for only five houses. Fehrenbacher was wary and able to keep her business from going into excess debt.

    Tiny houses, which have experienced a huge increase in support over the past decade, have attracted young homeowners and elderly alike. The low-cost of entry allows first-time homebuyers to get a foot in a market that increased dramatically since the 2009 housing crisis, which saw foreclosures across the country and downwardly spiraling home prices that left many with negative equity. And older homebuyers are interested in smaller spaces, due to children leaving the home and having excess space.

    Tiny homes often are confused with modular or manufactured homes, which Fehrenbacher said have lower quality than her companys tiny homes. While manufactured homes have improved over the years, the stigma around them remains, as well as often true stereotypes of cheaper materials and workmanship in their construction.

    For Fehrenbacher, the focus is on quality.

    We definitely build a heavy and nice house, she said.

    There is a drawback, however. In Oregon, tiny homes are technically illegal to sell instead, Fehrenbacher markets her homes as trailers or cabins to work around the prohibition.

    Of the workers at Mega Tiny Homes, Ray Valdez is the most dedicated. Prior to his employment, he would walk to the manufacturer each work day, sit down for lunch and wait for his chance to work.

    At first, Fehrenbacher wasnt interested in hiring the man. After a week, Valdez left. Fehrenbacher asked her employees which car he drove. They replied he didnt. She ran after the man and hired him on for a week. She said Valdez is her most crucial employee.

    Hes the man, she said.

    As home prices around the state continue to rise, Fehrenbacher said she hoped the legislation around tiny homes changes, and her business helps to solve the housing issues in La Grande and Union County.

    Read more:
    Little homes in the valley | Local News | lagrandeobserver.com - La Grande Observer

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