Small houses

Small houses offer a lower environmental impact, and a philosophy of voluntary simplicity.

Small houses are also attainable by people who might otherwise be shut out of the housing market - which is a significant proportion of people today.

Lower environmental impact

The lower impact comes through:

• Fewer resources used in construction.
• Less space to heat or cool.
• Less land used up, meaning:
  • More green space
  • Less hard surface and resulting stormwater runoff, and more space for water to be naturally absorbed into the ground.
  • Dwellings closer together, meaning higher population density, making public transport more feasible.

Personal freedom

• Leaves more money for other things.
• Small houses (often specifically called tiny houses) are sometimes built on trailers, and can be moved easily.