Tiny Homes with Full Appliances for $250 to $500: How to Qualify for This Affordable Living Option

A new tiny home village in Salt Lake City, Utah, has opened its doors to provide affordable housing for the unhoused, with rent starting as low as $250 per month. The Other Side Village, which held its opening ceremony at the end of December 2024, offers fully-equipped tiny homes with amenities like full-sized appliances, a bedroom, a living room, and an accessible bathroom.

Built on land donated by the city and funded by taxpayer money, the project aims to help individuals transition out of homelessness by offering stable housing, support services, and resources to help them regain independence. However, the project faced delays after its initial announcement in 2021, primarily due to labor shortages, material issues, and site cleanup.

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The tiny home community, which now houses six residents, has a total of 60 homes available. Each unit is about 350 square feet, and residents also have access to on-site services such as behavioral healthcare, primary healthcare, work assistance programs, and regular community events like farmers’ markets.

To qualify for a unit, applicants must meet certain criteria. First, they must earn no more than 30% of the area’s median income, which translates to about $21,500 annually for a single person. They also need to be currently unhoused and sober. After meeting these initial requirements, prospective residents must complete a six-month prep school program. Upon completion, their rent will range from $250 to $500 per month, depending on other factors.

Tiny homes, which are typically less than 400 square feet, are designed to be cost-effective and mobile. Many are built on trailers, allowing them to be relocated if needed. While tiny homes are not always subject to the same taxes as traditional homes, their legal status can vary by state. In some places, such as Alaska, Iowa, and West Virginia, tiny homes are not allowed to serve as permanent residences.

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Residents at The Other Side Village are required to follow a few basic rules: pay rent on time, adhere to civil law, and respect community guidelines. The village’s FAQ page provides more details on these rules, as well as other relevant information.

Looking ahead, The Other Side Village plans to expand significantly. The prep school program will increase its capacity in 2025, allowing up to 52 participants at a time, and the village itself will add 370 more tiny homes, with 200 being built in 2025. The total cost of the expansion is projected to be around $60 million.

Other states are also exploring similar initiatives. For example, a recently completed tiny home village in Maine offers larger bathrooms and parking for $1,300 a month, while California has opened 155 rent-free temporary housing units as part of a broader effort to combat homelessness.

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keelee-mccain

Keelee McCain is a junior at Weber High School. This is her second year on staff, this year as Assistant to the Chief. She does have a life (probably) but she can't think of anything to write in here, so she's probably just going to ramble now. She has an orange cat who she likes better than any human. If you see her being quiet or not sitting on top of a desk, there is something very wrong. In her free time she enjoys harassing her favorite teachers and sleeping. Her life plans include making it through high school and leaving. Happy lifeing.

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