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  issue #76  posted 3/11/2024             
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Tiny Homes—Support Transcends Culture War? 

in the news: A bill (HB2096) to make it much easier to build tiny homes in rural Arizona has so far failed in advance in the Arizona Legislature—but those lined up supporting and opposing it may surprise some people. This is especially true given how the Wikipedia article "The Tiny House Movement" describes this "eco-friendly alternative" which clearly has "minimizing waste and reducing living expenses" advantages, and as "an architectural and social movement promoting the reduction and simplification of living spaces." It cites Henry David Thoreau's book Walden as an early inspiration for it. Besides linking it to those who like "small is beautiful , the article connects it to progressives pushing for affordable housing and suggest it could "serve as a transitional housing option for homeless individuals." All of this suggests that Democrats would be behind tiny home promotion efforts? Not so in Arizona—it's Republicans advancing it! 

commentary and analysis by Stephen P. Cook, Managing Director, project Worldview:  

As many of you know, I live in Arizona. But while I will end with some details of HB2096 in my state, I begin with more general considerations. I start with a big picture look at what's behind issues involving tiny homes by considering what Project Worldview identifies as choice #45. Could it be that fans of tiny homes especially value the  #23B Enoughness worldview theme alternative in that choice, whereas opponents prefer the #26B  More is Better Mentality / Abundance other one? 

Note someone who strongly values the former theme might describe what they seek in housing in terms of wanting to "maximize well-being, while minimizing consumption and ecological footprint." Someone who values the later theme would applaud the trend that the previously cited Wikipedia article notes: "The average size of newly constructed homes in the United States grew from 1,780 sq ft in 1978 to 2,479 sq ft  in 2007, and further still to 2,662 sq ft  in 2013." Note: tiny homes are less than 400 sq.ft. 

If this is what chiefly divides supporters and opponents, then one might expect the tiny homes supporters to be ecologically-minded—often identified with Democrats more than Republicans. Given the Democrats in the Arizona legislature all opposed the tiny homes bill, there are no doubt other factors involved! Yes—and most significantly here we have the divide over how many and how stringent are the regulations behind the activities legislators are asked to consider. 

In matters of regulating activities of chiefly economic nature, generally speaking, Republicans tend to favor less and Democrats more regulation. In choice #40 terms, Republicans might generally prefer the #204A Freedom From Limits theme, whereas Democrats would prefer the #204B  Limits & Ethics alternative. Accordingly, a Republican might say—to steal some words from the description of that former theme—"I value individual freedom and don’t like regulations that restrict it...If my actions don't directly bother or harm other human beings—or negatively impact their property—I believe I'm free to do whatever I want with...land I own." 

The Arizona Republicans advancing HB2096 were driven by a desire to cut through the (often daunting, expensive and sometimes unnecessary?) regulatory red tape surrounding home building, and sought to greatly simplify the permitting / compliance with rules related part of it. In contrast, generally a Democrat might emphasize—using words from the description of the latter theme, "I support common sense regulations that protect people and the environment."

Sometimes the regulatory dispute involves the extent to which public health and safety is protected; other times it involves protecting the consumer. Generally Democrats tend to favor more of these, and Republicans less. Note the related  #28B Healthy Orientation and #26A The Consumerist  worldview themes. 

With respect to the Arizona Tiny Homes bill, public health concerns ultimately directed my decision to not enthusiastically support it—something I initially wanted to do. My support was based on an appreciation of "small is beautiful" and "local self reliance." I connect the latter with two themes. First the relative affordability of tiny homes makes possible a  #45B Work, Play, Pay As You Go orientation—something I find far preferable than taking on a mortgage and lots of debt. Likewise, I connect the tiny homes movement with  #48B  Liking Co-operation-Based Communities  whose description says, " I like community-based voluntary, democratic organizations in which people join hands in promoting community, common good, and local self reliance." But despite the Arizona Tiny Homes bill appealing to me based those connections, I uncovered what I eventually  decided was a fatal flaw. 

Seems in matters related to housing construction specs and adherence to building codes,  I tend to prefer fewer regulations than some. But I draw the line at eliminating requirements related to energy conservation and public health. So, after delving into the details of the Arizona bill—probing especially the section on "gray water"—I determined that the bill contained nothing to otherwise prevent a tiny home builder from avoiding the (costly) installation of a septic tank and irresponsibly dumping untreated sewage on rural land! Thus my position now is, while I oppose the bill in its current form, I'd like to see it amended to require either 1) septic tank, 2) storing waste in holding tank that is later transported and dumped in approved treatment facility, or 3) on-site installation of composting toilet, that has been approved for residential use, and its periodic emptying of treated waste for use—ideally in gardens—where people live.    

Note this last stipulation indicates valuing #27 The Small Producer, #23A  Sustainability, and #104B  Respect for Nature worldview themes. Given the connection with "environmentalists" of these last two themes, and the "ick" factor that some associate with composting toilets, I doubt this proposed amendment will be embraced by its Republican legislator backers. Perhaps I will be surprised!