Granny Pods - Just another tiny house?

Tiny homes are popping up everywhere - at home and garden shows (look for them at the Minneapolis Convention Center February 24), in magazines and on television, and in state legislative chambers. In May 2016 Minnesota passed legislation allowing tiny homes on residential property for senior family members requiring extra care. But these granny pods as they have been called are not your typical tiny house. The law comes with restrictions, on their size, building, and use; and local municipalities were allowed to opt out by fall. Both houses passed the bill with the hope of filling a need that many families faced - that of providing housing for aging family who had very limited options. And some enterprising people have started companies to fill in the gap. See www.nextdoorhousing.com/ for Minnesota's answer to this need.

Many Minnesota cities and counties have opted out of this law for a variety of reasons. Some have existing laws that accommodate elder care housing and others want to maintain local control over the issue. Northfield's council opted out in favor of working on their own version of this law. See "Northfield drafts granny pod ordinance" December 13, 2016 at northfieldnews.com The tiny house movement has become an attractive alternative for many people regardless of age or physical condition for the same reason - affordable housing that reduces clutter and care. So, how will communities respond to this latest housing craze? For more on this, read "Despite new law, 'granny flats' are a no-go in east metro" by Jessie Bekker December 2, 2016 at twincities.com

_{Credit: Granny Pod from southerminn.com}