The Tiny Series: Living a Big Life in a Tiny Home
10/26/21 • 29 min
The Perfect Property with Juli St George
Guest: Will Johnston, Executive Director, MicroLife Institute
Summary:
This episode of The Perfect Property podcast highlights a movement that has captured the imaginations of people interested in downsizing (or “rightsizing”) their property while upgrading their quality of life. Host Juli St George welcomes Will Johnston, executive director of the MicroLife Institute, a thought leader and innovator in the micro-living, or Tiny House, space. Their conversation explores a new approach to the built environment – the spaces in which we live, work and recreate every day.
Will shares the story of how he personally came to start the MicroLife Institute and his journey to establishing The Cottages on Vaughan in Clarkston, Georgia, a model community that is redefining the parameters of real estate development. Studies indicate that people of all ages and different stages of life desire not only a stronger sense of community, but also improved economies of scale, environmental footprints and housing equity.
The Cottages on Vaughan, an inaugural project for the MicroLife Institute, provides a template that’s stirring interest nationally and abroad – not least because of the powerful punch it packs within a tiny footprint (around 650 square feet). Will describes the interior layout and shares the philosophy behind outdoor spaces designed to foster a sense of neighborhood – from shared tools to a communal fire pit and pizza oven.
The MicroLife Institute is tracking the demographics and data suggest that many people are ready to trade in a huge, isolated suburban home for more nimble, walkable, interconnected housing enclaves, or Pocket Neighborhoods, that offer a very personal sense of home and belonging. Enjoy this tour of a housing trend that’s here to stay.
What You’ll Learn:
· How Will ditched traditional corporate life in favor of the micro-life way. (2:12)
· The spectrum of conversations going on around the concept of micro-housing. (3:29)
· Will highlights the fundamental principles of micro-life and Pocket Neighborhoods.(5:08)
· All about Cottages on Vaughan, MicroLife’s pilot project in Clarkston, Georgia. (8:42)
· Juli asks Will to drill down on the demographics of micro-home dwellers. (Short answer: It spans all age groups!) There’s high demand, high interest. (13:47)
· A virtual tour of a typical Tiny House – the parameters, layout, occupancy, etc. (17:38)
· Physical layout and community planning are key elements to the MicroLife model, which Will details. (19:36)
· “Layers of separation” are critical to Ross Chapin’s vision for Pocket Neighborhoods that foster community while preserving privacy and space. (21:45)
· Pets are welcome – and here’s how it works. (22:29)
· Costs associated with owning and living in a Tiny Home community. (24:42)
Key Points:
“We are told that you get in debt, move into the house, keep up with the Joneses and all that jazz. I knew that that was not my story.”
“We don’t want people to build bigger just for the sake of money. We want people to be smart about how they utilize space and create that walkability that creates community.”
“The more I read 'The Color of Law' and the more I get into conversations about exclusionary zoning, it makes me so angry about the world we built in the built environment.”
“We have a huge gap in the built environment of people w
https://linktr.ee/julistgeorge
The Perfect Property with Juli St George
Guest: Will Johnston, Executive Director, MicroLife Institute
Summary:
This episode of The Perfect Property podcast highlights a movement that has captured the imaginations of people interested in downsizing (or “rightsizing”) their property while upgrading their quality of life. Host Juli St George welcomes Will Johnston, executive director of the MicroLife Institute, a thought leader and innovator in the micro-living, or Tiny House, space. Their conversation explores a new approach to the built environment – the spaces in which we live, work and recreate every day.
Will shares the story of how he personally came to start the MicroLife Institute and his journey to establishing The Cottages on Vaughan in Clarkston, Georgia, a model community that is redefining the parameters of real estate development. Studies indicate that people of all ages and different stages of life desire not only a stronger sense of community, but also improved economies of scale, environmental footprints and housing equity.
The Cottages on Vaughan, an inaugural project for the MicroLife Institute, provides a template that’s stirring interest nationally and abroad – not least because of the powerful punch it packs within a tiny footprint (around 650 square feet). Will describes the interior layout and shares the philosophy behind outdoor spaces designed to foster a sense of neighborhood – from shared tools to a communal fire pit and pizza oven.
The MicroLife Institute is tracking the demographics and data suggest that many people are ready to trade in a huge, isolated suburban home for more nimble, walkable, interconnected housing enclaves, or Pocket Neighborhoods, that offer a very personal sense of home and belonging. Enjoy this tour of a housing trend that’s here to stay.
What You’ll Learn:
· How Will ditched traditional corporate life in favor of the micro-life way. (2:12)
· The spectrum of conversations going on around the concept of micro-housing. (3:29)
· Will highlights the fundamental principles of micro-life and Pocket Neighborhoods.(5:08)
· All about Cottages on Vaughan, MicroLife’s pilot project in Clarkston, Georgia. (8:42)
· Juli asks Will to drill down on the demographics of micro-home dwellers. (Short answer: It spans all age groups!) There’s high demand, high interest. (13:47)
· A virtual tour of a typical Tiny House – the parameters, layout, occupancy, etc. (17:38)
· Physical layout and community planning are key elements to the MicroLife model, which Will details. (19:36)
· “Layers of separation” are critical to Ross Chapin’s vision for Pocket Neighborhoods that foster community while preserving privacy and space. (21:45)
· Pets are welcome – and here’s how it works. (22:29)
· Costs associated with owning and living in a Tiny Home community. (24:42)
Key Points:
“We are told that you get in debt, move into the house, keep up with the Joneses and all that jazz. I knew that that was not my story.”
“We don’t want people to build bigger just for the sake of money. We want people to be smart about how they utilize space and create that walkability that creates community.”
“The more I read 'The Color of Law' and the more I get into conversations about exclusionary zoning, it makes me so angry about the world we built in the built environment.”
“We have a huge gap in the built environment of people w
https://linktr.ee/julistgeorge
Previous Episode
Atlanta Community Land Trust With Amanda Rhein
Summary:
On this episode of The Perfect Property podcast Juli invites Amanda Rhein, executive director of the Atlanta Land Trust, to share the inroads she has made in a career dedicated to improving Atlanta’s built environment. The community land trust model, which has found success over the years in 250 cities nationwide, is making home ownership attainable for people in lower incomes brackets. Although local real estate prices have increased dramatically, the ALT has managed to create affordable housing options in a market that would otherwise be out of reach.
Juli and Amanda’s conversation includes a step-by-step explanation of how leased home ownership differs from traditional, the financial profile required of prospective buyers and options for counseling to get on the path to qualifying for a mortgage. Amanda also walks through the process of re-selling a property, how accrued equity is distributed and options available to older family members who wish to pass their 99-year lease down to younger generations.
With roots tracing back to the 1960s, the community land trust model arose in response to the systematic deprivation of civil rights in southern Georgia. The effects of discrimination and intimidation are transgenerational but organizations like the ALT are providing a roadmap for would-be homeowners in need of a point of entry. Amanda shares success stories and acknowledges the ongoing challenge of lobbying for necessary private- and public-sector funding for the portfolio of 300 properties she ultimately hopes to establish. She paints a picture of the types of homes the ALT currently has under development (both single family and townhome communities) as well as her hopes for the future. Join Juli in learning about the Atlanta Land Trust’s mission and the ways in which it is delivering low-income individuals and families access to the American dream of home ownership.
What You’ll Learn:
· Amanda explains how the Atlanta Land Trust works and why it exists. (1:49)
· The community land trust model’s southern roots and evolution. (2:15)
· How the Atlanta Land Trust model specifically serves communities suffering redlining, food deserts, runaway rents/property taxes and other housing inequities. (6:16)
· Amanda explains the step-by-step process and time required to secure a land trust property. (8:38)
· Home valuations in Atlanta have increased in some cases by as much as $100,000, which makes a ground lease formula the best alternative for many families. (11:26)
· Amanda explains the resale process and ALT’s ongoing stewardship role. (12:10)
· Average sale price for ALT-leased homes in Atlanta is about $165,000, but there is a wide range depending on income and other factors. (13:32)
· Funding and land acquisition/development for ALT requires constant cultivation of public and private funding sources. (16:11)
· What about the homes themselves? Is there a “typical” ALT housing project? Some are scattered-site single family homes built on public land and others are larger planned communities of townhomes/condos (both new construction and renovation). (18:00)
· The ALT’s income limits are set based on Area Median Income (AMI), which for the majority of applicants means an income cap of $68,950 annually for a family of four and $48,000 for single individuals. (20:25)
· Other factors in qualifying for a mortgage include: credit score, proof of steady income and amount of household debt. For those who fail to qualify, ALT offers counseling to get on
https://linktr.ee/julistgeorge
Next Episode
The Tiny Series: Tiny Doors ATL with Artist Karen Anderson Singer!
The Perfect Property with Juli St. George
Guest: Karen Anderson Singer, Tiny Doors ATL
Summary:
In this episode of The Perfect Property, Juli draws the curtain back on Tiny Doors ATL – a popular art installation that finds big ideas in very small places. Karen Anderson Singer’s colorful, unique Tiny Doors have popped up all over the city in recent years, to the delight of everyone who comes upon them. This podcast covers not only where the artist found her inspiration but how her vision has inspired a sense of community, whether situated outside a major corporation, adjacent to a community organization or tucked into the trunk of a tree.
Shaped by a life-long love of both miniatures and street art, Karen (an Atlanta transplant originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan) married the two passions in a whimsical format that has drawn national and international attention. Juli explores with her guest the various ways in which Tiny Doors spur imagination, prompting all kinds of curiosity and questioning, always in the context of respect for whatever the locale. These little gems, sprinkled throughout the city, have prompted a movement. Learn how you can tour Karen’s colorful installations and perhaps join the growing Tiny Door community by leaving an interactive treasure of your own!
What You’ll Learn:
· Karen explains the artistic impulse and vision behind her doors – the purpose they serve and the imaginative thinking she hopes to spark.
· Tiny Doors require a certain amount of maintenance, but they are also an exercise in letting go for the artist – who understands that they need to evolve organically.
· The “Tiny Key” bestowed upon Karen for her represents a city that embraces imagination and believes that it’s possible to create something big out of something tiny.
· Lesson plans, treasure hunts, an augmented reality app – (links below).
· The secret behind Door #5. How it nearly broke Karen’s heart and how a new, epic tree-based door in Grant Park proved a healing – fun – journey.
Key Points:
“When I’m creating a door I’m thinking about the community in front of it ... I’m trying to come up with the best blank canvas for your imagination.” (5:01)
“(Tiny Doors) really is about the love that I have and that the people of Atlanta have for Atlanta. They really are about embracing the community. It’s not necessarily about what you’d find behind the doors. It’s about who you meet in front of the doors.” (11:39)
“The real story of these Tiny Doors is going to be how they move and grow. I don’t see there being 100 but maybe 100 versions of the first few ...” (30:19)
Contacts & Further Resources:
· More information about the Tiny Doors ATL can be found here.
· Download a free Tiny Doors ATL lesson plan for kids here.
· Click here to take a Tiny Doors map and augmented reality tour.
· Support Tiny Doors by shopping their online store.
· Reach out via email: [email protected]
· Click here to make a donation and keep Karen’s Tiny Doors coming!
https://linktr.ee/julistgeorge
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