Contractors for Building Houses
BOWLING GREEN, Mo. - The North East Community Action Corp. is still looking for contractors to build "tiny homes" for interested residents in Northeast Missouri.
The not-for-profit agency has been encouraging the use of the super-small dwellings because they offer an affordable, energy-efficient solution to housing needs for many people and communities.
Brent Engel, NECAC's public relations officer, said the agency would like to start pairing up some willing contractors with residents who want to build and live in one of the cozy cottages, which typically average between 500 to 600 square feet.
"We've had interest from some people, but we just haven't gotten a contractor yet who will work with us and get these homes built, " Engel said.
Last year, NECAC commissioned the construction of a single "spec" tiny home for demonstration purposes. The home received a great deal of attention in June when put on display next to Canton City Hall during the Tri-State Housing Summit at Culver-Stockton College.
"That home is still on display in Canton, " Engel said.
NECAC continues to push the tiny home concept because the little dwellings make sense for certain people looking to downsize or reduce their carbon footprint.
"Homeownership has always been a dream for families, and tiny homes are one of the answers that can provide the housing needs for people, " Engel said.
"The advantages of tiny homes are that, first of all, they're more affordable. Second, they cut way down on energy bills. Third, they provide new housing for communities. There are a lot of communities in the area that need additional housing, so this is a great way to do that."
NECAC has an interest in the tiny-home concept because one of its missions involves helping disadvantaged families find affordable housing in the 12 Northeast Missouri counties that the agency serves.
NECAC not only connects families with potential landlords or contractors, but it also educates families about the responsibilities involved in homeownership through a series of classes. Engel said this is done so people "know what they're getting into" when buying a home.
Engel said NECAC would be happy to work with residents who want to explore the possibility of building their own tiny homes.
"They would have to buy the lot, and they would have to get their own loan" to build the structure, Engel said, but NECAC might be able to steer the residents toward programs that could make the process a little more affordable.
