Applicant for housing panel urges tiny homes, accessible ADUs to keep young residents

Connie, who is applying for a seat on the South Burlington housing committee, told the council she has researched tiny houses on wheels as an affordable accessory dwelling unit option and that the city’s preapproved ADU plans lack handicap-accessible models. She said she bought her house 20 years ago and is now pursuing a tiny house solution that would reduce entry costs for renters and homeowners.

Connie provided specific cost comparisons during her interview, saying the foundation option for a tiny-home installation quoted to her contractors was over $55,000 while a drilled-anchor approach was about $25,000, and that the smaller option included utility hookups. “The house that I'm looking at building is 11 by 36 feet, so almost 400 square feet. And it's only, a $130,000 as opposed to $400,000,” she said, adding that a delivered tiny house plus hookups could be ready in six to eight weeks rather than months or a year for a conventional build.

She also flagged accessibility: Connie said she reviewed the 10 preapproved permitted ADU plans under consideration by the city and found none that were wheelchair-accessible. She asked the housing committee to consider rules or incentives that would allow or encourage smaller, accessible ADUs to expand housing options for people with disabilities and lower-income households.

Council members asked logistical questions about sourcing builders in Vermont and utility costs; Connie said Vermont currently has very few builders doing accessible tiny houses on wheels and that she had to look out of state. Council liaison Elizabeth noted the committee meets monthly and that Zoom options were available for members who travel seasonally.

The council did not make appointments at the special meeting; staff said the council expects to take action on committee appointments at its regular meeting on June 16 and will notify applicants in writing afterward.