The Augusta Commissioner who has spearheaded the push to allow tiny homes to be built in Augusta explains the cost.
During the presentation of the ordinance, District 1 Commissioner Jordan Johnson said the comment about the homes costing $200,000 had triggered questions about tiny home affordability, particularly in the effort to address homelessness.
Johnson said tiny homes generally fall into one of two categories: a minimalist home for someone downsizing or a basic style for someone needing a home.
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“If I’m a, you know, medical professional or military retiree, and I want to downsize from my five-bedroom home, I might go and buy me a tiny home at market value in a market rate tiny home village,” he said. “But if I’m a college student, or if I’m homeless, or if I’m a veteran, or if I’m a foster child coming out of the system and looking to reintegrate into society on my own, I would rent a tiny home. And I guarantee you you’re not renting at the average rent that you’re seeing right now.”
Johnson said the basic tiny home costs an average between $30,000 and $60,000.
A Google search confirmed that.
Articles on both the Rocket Mortgage and Quicken Loans website said the average is $30,000 to $60,000. Although the cost per square foot for a tiny home is usually twice that of a traditional home, $300 per square foot versus $150 per square foot, overall tiny homes are cheaper to build or purchase. Both websites agree it is possible for a tiny home to reach into the low six figures, based on materials, fixtures and luxury amenities.
Johnson said that’s not the type of construction he envisioned when he began lobbying for the tiny home ordinance.
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“The whole idea here was to be able to provide affordable housing for folks who needed it. Regardless of what stage in life, whether you are just now wanting to be a first-time homeowner, or you just need somewhere to rent for a short amount of time, tiny homes can help you. And I think that’s the narrative that has been lost,” he said.
Johnson has also supported the idea of tiny home villages, similar to The Cove at Dundee, a newly built community of tiny houses in Savannah. The ordinance approved by commissioners lays out the requirements for such a village.
“The ordinance is crafted to where you will have a community center, you will have a place to do your laundry, you will have storage space, it takes care of the basic needs of a person looking for housing,” said Jordan.
Jordan pointed out one thing he believes is key to bringing tiny homes to Augusta. Any development must go before commission for approval.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a general assignment reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
