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In the News

Big plans for ‘tiny houses’

In an alleyway in the Northeast Washington neighborhood of Stronghold, a row of “tiny houses” is being built to showcase a potential option for affordable housing in the District.

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Nov. 3, 2012

Several "tiny houses" are being built in an alley lot in Northeast Washington. A group called Boneyard Studios is building the houses to showcase a possible option for affordable housing in the District.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Lee Pera works on a tiny house. The tiny houses, which have 150 to 200 square feet of living space, are designed to be sold for $20,000 to $50,000, less than the downpayment for a two-bedroom condo in some trendy Washington neighborhoods.

Nov. 3, 2012

Lee Pera works on a tiny house. The tiny houses, which have 150 to 200 square feet of living space, are designed to be sold for $20,000 to $50,000, less than the downpayment for a two-bedroom condo in some trendy Washington neighborhoods.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

David Bamford, of Element Design Build, is one of the builders of tiny houses. Some of the houses are built on wheels to make them easily transportable, as some owners would prefer to take them with them on moves rather than sell them.

Nov. 2, 2012

David Bamford, of Element Design Build, is one of the builders of tiny houses. Some of the houses are built on wheels to make them easily transportable, as some owners would prefer to take them with them on moves rather than sell them.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

From left, Jay Austin, Tony Gilchriest and Matt Grasmick unwrap new water tanks for a tiny house. Despite their diminutive spaces, the houses have fully functioning kitchens and bathrooms.

Nov. 2, 2012

From left, Jay Austin, Tony Gilchriest and Matt Grasmick unwrap new water tanks for a tiny house. Despite their diminutive spaces, the houses have fully functioning kitchens and bathrooms.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Gilchriest carries a water tank to one of the tiny houses while Brian Levy works a table saw. The houses being built in the Stronghold neighborhood are a showcase of the houses potential. D.C. zoning laws don’t allow residential dwellings on alley lots as “full-time residential structures,” unless the alley is 30 feet or wider in width, roughly the size of a street. The District is discussing lifting the 30-foot restriction.

Nov. 2, 2012

Gilchriest carries a water tank to one of the tiny houses while Brian Levy works a table saw. The houses being built in the Stronghold neighborhood are a showcase of the houses potential. D.C. zoning laws don’t allow residential dwellings on alley lots as “full-time residential structures,” unless the alley is 30 feet or wider in width, roughly the size of a street. The District is discussing lifting the 30-foot restriction.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Grasmick helps Austin build a tiny house. The small structures stand in contrast to the 1,800-square-foot rowhouses behind them. Proponents of micro-housing say the tiny houses represent a change in attitudes between generations, where one concentrated on showcasing material possessions while younger generations focus more on lifestyles.

Nov. 2, 2012

Grasmick helps Austin build a tiny house. The small structures stand in contrast to the 1,800-square-foot rowhouses behind them. Proponents of micro-housing say the tiny houses represent a change in attitudes between generations, where one concentrated on showcasing material possessions while younger generations focus more on lifestyles.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

The main room is seen in a completed tiny house.

Nov. 3, 2012

The main room is seen in a completed tiny house.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

The sleeping loft sits above the kitchen in this tiny house.

Nov. 3, 2012

The sleeping loft sits above the kitchen in this tiny house.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

The bathroom sits next to the kitchen in this tiny house.

Nov. 3, 2012

The bathroom sits next to the kitchen in this tiny house.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

The sleeping loft has a skylight in this tiny house.

Nov. 3, 2012

The sleeping loft has a skylight in this tiny house.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Proponents say that because there are many vacant lots in some parts of the District, the tiny houses could be a good option for affordable housing in those areas.

Nov. 2, 2012

Proponents say that because there are many vacant lots in some parts of the District, the tiny houses could be a good option for affordable housing in those areas.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

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