An overview of the market opportunity for Tiny House Communities, and regulatory challenges that we are working to overcome (more at www.openworldvillages.org)

1. Tiny House Communities
A New Way to Thrive in Challenging Times
Openworld Villages
www.openworldvillages.org
Mark Frazier, President/CEO

2. Contents
1. Overview
2. The Trend Towards Tiny Houses
3. Where To Put Them?
4. Overcoming Regulatory
Obstacles
5. Our Response: Openworld
Villages
www.openworldvillages.org

3. Overview
• We’re a new nonprofit focusing on ecovillages and
tiny house solutions for the US and global market
• Our team includes the owner of the White Lotus Eco
Retreat (21 acres in Standardsville, VA) and the
cofounder of The Quarries (350 acres in Schuyler, VA)
www.openworldvillages.org

4. The Trend Towards Tiny Houses
Demand drivers:
• First-time
homebuyers (22-35
year olds) who want
to avoid debt
• Mid-career folks
seeking second
homes
• Retirees looking to
downsize

5. The Trend Towards Tiny Houses
What are Tiny houses?
• Designed for four season
living
• Typically, 200 to 400 square
feet
• Can be built permanently on
site, or kept on wheels
www.openworldvillages.org

6. The Trend Towards Tiny Houses
Tiny Houses on
Wheels
www.openworldvillages.org

7. The Trend Towards Tiny Houses
Bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens (1-3 people can live in them)
www.openworldvillages.org

8. The Trend Towards Tiny Houses
Make or Buy?
• Build Your Own ($2K - $40K)
• Or buy one ($10K - $100K)
www.openworldvillages.org

9. The Trend Towards Tiny Houses
How Tiny Houses can pay for themselves –
• AirBnb rentals of tiny houses: $100-$150/night
• Typical cost of financing a tiny house on
wheels: $350 per month
• A tiny house can pay for itself if rented part-
time via AirBnb for 3-5 days/month
• Depreciation advantages
www.openworldvillages.org

10. Overcoming Regulatory
Obstacles
BUT –
• Many localities restrict or outlaw AirBnb
• Zoning laws usually allow only part time “camping” (not full-time
living) in tiny houses on wheels
• Some localities prevent tiny houses from using rainwater, doing
microfarming, and establishing “off grid” energy alternatives
www.openworldvillages.org

11. Overcoming Regulatory
Obstacles
www.openworldvillages.org
Building codes also frustrate tiny house innovations
like these

12. 1. Find localities willing to change policies
2. Work with them to offer sites for development of
new Tiny House Communities
3. Help tiny house owners prepare “crowdmoves”
Our Response – Openworld Villages

13. Tiny Houses and Alt-Edu
A ‘Next College’
option?
• Free tuition (online courses)
• Learn-by-doing projects
(build your own home,
make it sustainable)
• Diploma – a digital portfolio
of your project work
• Graduation: your starter
home!

14. Contacts
Mark Frazier
mark@openworldvillages.org
202.257.2574
www.openworldvillages.org