Community Buy-in Will Help Tiny Homes Succeed, says Brantford Resident

Community Buy-in Will Help Tiny Homes Succeed, says Brantford Resident

By Deron Hamel

Brantford resident Lisa Moore says tiny homes could be part of a viable solution to the housing crisis in the city, but it will take buy-in from the community and there will need to be regulations in place to make it work.

“In my dreams, I hope that everyone who (has) the space would volunteer to have a tiny home built to help someone else,” Lisa says.

In order to encourage interest from homeowners, Lisa says people willing to offer property to build tiny homes in the city could be offered breaks on taxes or utility costs.

Additionally, Lisa says there would need to be regulations in place regarding privacy and safety as well as rules surrounding drugs and alcohol consumption.

“(I’m willing to) meet with people who are homeless and ask what they need now — (such as) food, bottled water — or show them how to make safe water, teach them how to grow their own perennial fruits and vegetables without dirt, (offer) clean clothes, toiletries, items that make them feel more self-sufficient and more confident.”

Lisa sees the impact of the housing crisis up close every day. Behind her home is an encampment where many people from Brantford’s homeless community are now living.

She sees young families living in the tent city. She also sees the fallout from the situation, such as syringes lying on the ground.

While some of her neighbours are scared to approach people living in the encampment, Lisa is not.

“You could say I am passionate about the housing needs in our community, and I want to help,” she says.

 Lisa’s interest in a community-based response to housing needs in Brantford dates back more than 30 years.

After completing the construction engineering program at Conestoga College in 1989, she embarked on a career as a estimator and purchaser for several new-home builders in the city.

It was during this time Lisa says she began noticing how existing buildings and properties could be used for housing, rather than building new homes that drive up the cost of land and widen the gap between the wealthy and poor.

“It upset me to see all the money spent by contractors on building brand-new, very expensive homes on land that was once used to feed people,” she says.

“I became more aware of vacant buildings that could be renovated, vacant land that could be cleaned up, rent that was unaffordable and the stories of homeless people.”

Lisa says she’s prepared to help address the housing crisis in Brantford.

“(I’m willing to) meet with people who are homeless and ask what they need now — (such as) food, bottled water — or show them how to make safe water, teach them how to grow their own perennial fruits and vegetables without dirt, (offer) clean clothes, toiletries, items that make them feel more self-sufficient and more confident.”

Lisa also served two years as president of a co-op housing board and has learned about acquiring subsidies and renovation grants.

“I am not afraid of research and hitting the bricks,” she says. “Tell me what to do and I will get it done.”

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