What We Can Learn from Tiny House Communities

Green Bridge Farm, Savannah, Georgia

A couple of hours south of The Village of the Wildflowers in Effingham County, Georgia, Green Bridge Farm. It is a well-established tiny house community that incorporates several elements of sustainable living. The community is comprised of 25 wooded acres of beautiful forests with a large organic farm serving as the centerpiece of the community. The individual lots measure between 1.2 and 1.6 acres and are nestled serenely amongst the existing forests. 

The communal areas for the community include four acres of organic vegetable gardens and fruit orchards. While working the land is not obligatory, the four-acre farm gives residents access to land where they can participate in growing their own organic food.

This sustainable community has several “covenants” that residents adhere to in order to maintain an environmentally respectful neighborhood. These agreements include:

• A maximum of 10% loss of woodland when constructing tiny homes
• LEED guidelines suggested for new home construction
• No chain link fencing to separate the community, and
• all house and site plans must be submitted to the neighborhood for prior approval. 

The bylaws for this sustainable tiny home community don’t only allow for affordable housing in a beautiful, natural setting, but also encourage a sense of community. They also offer community spaces where people can work the land together. Green Bridge Farm brings people together to foster a shared sense of responsibility for the ecological integrity of the land they share.

Sprout Tiny Homes, Salida, Colorado

Tiny home communities aren’t only for younger people looking to become first-time homeowners. Sprout Tiny Homes is a company that is currently developing two tiny home communities in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Salida, Colorado is a top retirement spot due to the beautiful mountain surroundings and benign weather throughout most of the year. With over 200 tiny rental homes between 260 and 760 square feet, this tiny home community might be the perfect option for a simple (and affordable) retirement spot.

In nearby Walsenburg, Colorado, Sprout Tiny Homes is also developing a community of 33 tiny homes with prices starting at just $60,000. This community has a suburban feel to it, but without the massive, expensive, and environmentally unfriendly McMansions. The Walsenburg Tiny Home Community will also feature several retail spaces in order to foster a sense of a “walkable community”. The community in Walsenburg is conveniently located behind the public library and within a short walking distance to a new organic grocery store. Both communities will also have several shared community spaces and amenities, including fitness centers and green spaces.

The focus on “live and work” communities such as those being constructed by Sprout Tiny Homes is a major element of sustainable livelihoods. By building tiny homes that are energy-efficient and also located within walking distance of town life, there is a reduced need for cars and a greater sense of community.