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Small House Society News 201312

Small House Society – News 201312 | 31 December 2013 | Tuesday

Dear Friend,

20110201tu-gregory-johnson-mobile-hermitage-small-house-photo-by-makur-jain-IMG_6311-450x630-70percent-214x300December was a busy month at the SHS headquarters. Here’s the latest news.

Crowdsourced Tiny Houses. Our local group of small house enthusiasts will be planning upcoming meetings with service projects in mind. Click here to read more.

For those who have been reading these newsletters each month, the rest of what’s below will be mostly a repeat of previous news, but still current and relevant.

Media Inquiries. We’re continuing to receive emails and phone calls from members of the media who are writing stories and producing documentaries about the small house movement. If you’re interested in being interviewed, let us know.

Education Resources. There are an increasing number of undergraduate and graduate programs focusing on urban development that include the small house movement as part of the curriculum. Because of this, we regularly get requests from students wanting assistance with class projects and thesis work. If you’re interested in helping with these academic disciplines and research, let us know.

Local Small House Society Chapters. Our Directory of Local Contacts is growing. We want to welcome those who joined us this past month. With support requests pouring in from all over the world, it’s important to establish local chapter offices for the Small House Society in various countries, regions, states, and cities. Please let me know if you’re interested in being a local representative and contact. We’ve now added a Google map showing small house representatives in various regions.

Tiny House Conference 2014. If you’re interested in small  houses, you’ll want to consider attending The first annual tiny house conference is scheduled in Charlotte, North Carolina. Many of the well known builders and presenters will be there.

Thanks. I want to thank the global team of volunteers and contributors “behind the scenes” who help make all this possible. I’m very grateful to the many people who continue to uphold and advance the mission of the Small House Society. Thanks again for your support. Please let me know if there is any way that the Small House Society can serve you better.

Regards,
Gregory Johnson, Facilitator, President, Co-Founder
Small House Society

Internet: http://www.smallhousesociety.org
E-Mail: shs @ resourcesforlife.com (without spaces)
Postal: c/o Resources for Life, PO Box 2717, Iowa City, IA 52244-2717
Phone: (319) 621-4911
Subscribe. Enter your email address below and click the Join Now button to be notified when the latest Small House Society newsletter is available.

* * *

Global Reach. During a typical week, we have thousands of visitors from over 120 countries visiting our website. The map below is just a snapshot of just a few hours. So, the need for additional helpers is great. We have over 8000 people that we communicate each month through email, phone, or these updates. Click for a larger image.

20130331su-small-house-society-website-visitors-1024x651

Iowa City Small House Alliance to Plan Crowdsourced Service Project Charity Action Community Events

20110201tu-gregory-johnson-mobile-hermitage-small-house-photo-by-makur-jain-IMG_6311-450x630-70percent-214x300The Iowa City Small House Alliance is planning to organize “crowdsourced service project charity action community events.”

Of course, the idea of crowdsourcing isn’t new. In fact, it might be fair to say that the Amish concept of a barn raising was an early form of crowd sourcing.

Applied to the Small House Movement, one of the greatest benefits of a service event would be the more economical creation of tiny homes by bringing together people with resources, tools, experience, and skills.

Just as repurposing of materials is a great way to keep costs down, using locally sourced volunteer labor can help speed up the process of building a home while brining the cost down.

Service projects are also a great way for people to meet and build relationships.

As our local Iowa City chapter of the Small House Society plans future meetings, we hope that those can take place as local build events. Or, perhaps in some other way help advance the local small house community. We hope this can be an inspiration for other communities.

Regards,
Greg Johnson

Small House Society Paying Members 2013

We want to thank everyone who donated in 2013 and supported our work throughout the year. If you donated and your name isn’t listed below, please let us know.

2013 Paying Members

We have thousands of people signed up for our monthly newsletter and online discussion forums. However, our list of paying members is much smaller. Below you’ll find our list of paying members, donors, and supporters for 2013.

$10 Level

  • Anne B.,
  • Brian N., San Luis, CO
  • Bruce W., Bristol, NH
  • Duane C., Gentry, AR
  • In My Case, Belmont, MA
  • Jeanette L., Chehalis, WA
  • Roy M., Austin, TX

$25 Level

  • Lisa C., Big Bear Lake, CA

$30 Level

  • Albert A., Orlando, FL
  • Dale L.
  • Randall G., Brookline, MO
  • Robert L.

Contributions from Advertising Revenue

Small House Society News 201311

Small House Society – News 201311 | 8 December 2013 | Sunday

Dear Friend,

20110201tu-gregory-johnson-mobile-hermitage-small-house-photo-by-makur-jain-IMG_6311-450x630-70percent-214x300November was a busy month at the SHS headquarters. Sorry for the delay in getting this newsletter sent out. Here’s a recap of what’s been going on.

Media Inquiries. We’re continuing to receive emails and phone calls from members of the media who are writing stories and producing documentaries about the small house movement. If you’re interested in being interviewed, let us know.

Education Resources. There are an increasing number of undergraduate and graduate programs focusing on urban development that include the small house movement as part of the curriculum. Because of this, we regularly get requests from students wanting assistance with class projects and thesis work. If you’re interested in helping with these academic disciplines and research, let us know.

Local Small House Society Chapters. Our Directory of Local Contacts is growing. We want to welcome those who joined us this past month. With support requests pouring in from all over the world, it’s important to establish local chapter offices for the Small House Society in various countries, regions, states, and cities. Please let me know if you’re interested in being a local representative and contact. We’ve now added a Google map showing small house representatives in various regions.

Tiny House Conference 2014. If you’re interested in small  houses, you’ll want to consider attending The first annual tiny house conference is scheduled in Charlotte, North Carolina. Many of the well known builders and presenters will be there.

Tiny House Community. There’s an inspiring small house community being developed that I think you’ll be interested in. Click here to learn more.

Thanks. I want to thank the global team of volunteers and contributors “behind the scenes” who help make all this possible. I’m very grateful to the many people who continue to uphold and advance the mission of the Small House Society. Thanks again for your support. Please let me know if there is any way that the Small House Society can serve you better.

Regards,
Gregory Johnson, Facilitator, President, Co-Founder
Small House Society

Internet: http://www.smallhousesociety.org
E-Mail: shs @ resourcesforlife.com (without spaces)
Postal: c/o Resources for Life, PO Box 2717, Iowa City, IA 52244-2717
Phone: (319) 621-4911
Subscribe. Enter your email address below and click the Join Now button to be notified when the latest Small House Society newsletter is available.

* * *

Global Reach. During a typical week, we have thousands of visitors from over 120 countries visiting our website. The map below is just a snapshot of just a few hours. So, the need for additional helpers is great. We have over 8000 people that we communicate each month through email, phone, or these updates. Click for a larger image.

20130331su-small-house-society-website-visitors-1024x651

Small house community run by faith-based group aims at helping homeless

This video describes an inspiring initiative to help homeless find homes, training, work, and dignity through independent living.

Learn more at MLF.org.

Mobile Loaves & Fishes is a social outreach ministry that empowers communities into a lifestyle of service with the homeless. Our Mission to provide food and clothing and promote dignity to our homeless brothers and sisters in need is accomplished through our core programs: Community First!, ROADS Micro-Enterprise and our Truck Communities.”

20131122fr-community-first-mobile-loves-and-fishes-miracles-on-wheels-small-house-community

A Gift from the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council Artist Trading Card Workshop

20131106we-oxford-ms-yoknapatawpha-arts-council-640x360

It’s always a special occasion when someone from far away has heard of our work, and reaches out with a gift or word of encouragement and appreciation. Today we discovered a letter from the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. We thought it would be nice to share the letter and artist trading card with our members. Click any image below for a larger gallery view.

Small House Society News 201310

Small House Society – News 201310 | 31 October 2013 | Thursday

Dear Friend,

20110201tu-gregory-johnson-mobile-hermitage-small-house-photo-by-makur-jain-IMG_6311-450x630-70percent-214x300It’s been a busy month at the SHS headquarters. Here’s a recap of what’s been going on.

Local Small House Society Chapters. Our Directory of Local Contacts is growing. We want to welcome those who joined us this past month. With support requests pouring in from all over the world, it’s important to establish local chapter offices for the Small House Society in various countries, regions, states, and cities. Please let me know if you’re interested in being a local representative and contact.

Green Builders. Polly Bart, the founder of GreenBuilders.com, joined our list of local contacts this month. We’re pleased to have this team of over 50 sustainability and smaller living experts joining with us. Watch the video below to learn more.

Tiny House Conference 2013. If you’re interested in small  houses, you’ll want to consider attending The first annual tiny house conference is scheduled in Charlotte, North Carolina. Many of the well known builders and presenters will be there.

Thanks. I want to thank the global team of volunteers and contributors “behind the scenes” who help make all this possible. I’m very grateful to the many people who continue to uphold and advance the mission of the Small House Society. Thanks again for your support. Please let me know if there is any way that the Small House Society can serve you better.

Regards,
Gregory Johnson, Facilitator, President, Co-Founder
Small House Society

Internet: http://www.smallhousesociety.org
E-Mail: shs @ resourcesforlife.com (without spaces)
Postal: c/o Resources for Life, PO Box 2717, Iowa City, IA 52244-2717
Phone: (319) 621-4911
Subscribe. Enter your email address below and click the Join Now button to be notified when the latest Small House Society newsletter is available.

* * *

Global Reach. During a typical week, we have thousands of visitors from over 120 countries visiting our website. The map below is just a snapshot of just a few hours. So, the need for additional helpers is great. We have over 8000 people that we communicate each month through email, phone, or these updates. Click for a larger image.

20130331su-small-house-society-website-visitors-1024x651

Small House Interview on CJBK 1290 News Talk Radio London, Ontario, Canada – 7 October 2013 at 12:15 ET

20131007mo-small-house-interview-cjbk-london-ontario-canada-640x360

Click here for the recorded interview on Soundcloud.

Summary. Small House Society President, Greg Johnson speaks with Don Landy of CJBK in London, Ontario, Canada about the Small House Movement.

Listen to the Recorded Interview


__________

About. This interview was recorded Live at 1:15 PM Eastern Time (12:15 CT, 11:15 MT, 10:15 PT) on 7 October 2013

Small House Society News 201309

Small House Society – News 201309 | 30 September 2013 | Monday

Dear Friend,

20110201tu-gregory-johnson-mobile-hermitage-small-house-photo-by-makur-jain-IMG_6311-450x630-70percent-214x300It’s been a busy month at the SHS headquarters. Here’s a recap of what’s been going on.

Local Small House Society Chapters. We’ve had a great response from people wanting to be recognized as a local contact for the Small House Society. With support requests pouring in from all over the world, it’s important to establish local chapter offices for the Small House Society in various countries, regions, states, and cities. Please let me know if you’re interested in being a local representative and contact.

Tiny House Conference 2013. If you’re interested in small  houses, you’ll want to consider attending The first annual tiny house conference is scheduled in Charlotte, North Carolina. Many of the well known builders and presenters will be there.

Thanks. I want to thank the global team of volunteers and contributors “behind the scenes” who help make all this possible. I’m very grateful to the many people who continue to uphold and advance the mission of the Small House Society. Thanks again for your support. Please let me know if there is any way that the Small House Society can serve you better.

Regards,
Gregory Johnson, Facilitator, President, Co-Founder
Small House Society

Internet: http://www.smallhousesociety.org
E-Mail: shs @ resourcesforlife.com (without spaces)
Postal: c/o Resources for Life, PO Box 2717, Iowa City, IA 52244-2717
Phone: (319) 621-4911
Subscribe. Enter your email address below and click the Join Now button to be notified when the latest Small House Society newsletter is available.

* * *

Global Reach. During a typical week, we have thousands of visitors from over 120 countries visiting our website. The map below is just a snapshot of just a few hours. So, the need for additional helpers is great. We have over 8000 people that we communicate each month through email, phone, or these updates. Click for a larger image.

20130331su-small-house-society-website-visitors-1024x651

Tiny Homes: Simple Shelter by Lloyd Kahn

20130914sa-tiny-homes-simple-shelter-by-lloyd-kahn

There’s a grassroots movement in tiny homes these days. The real estate collapse, the economic downturn, burning out on 12-hour workdays — many people are rethinking their ideas about shelter — seeking an alternative to high rents, or a lifelong mortgage debt to a bank on an overpriced home.

In this book are some 150 builders who have taken things into their own hands, creating tiny homes (under 500 sq. ft.). Homes on land, homes on wheels, homes on the road, homes on water, even homes in the trees. There are also studios, saunas, garden sheds, and greenhouses.

There are 1,300 photos, showing a rich variety of small homemade shelters, and there are stories (and thoughts and inspirations) of the owner-builders who are on the forefront of this new trend in downsizing and self-sufficiency.

Learn More / Buy Now <

At the heart of our 1973 book Shelter were drawings of 5 small buildings, which we recommended as a starting point in providing one’s own home. Now, almost 40 years later, there’s a growing tiny house movement all over the world — which we’ve been tracking over the past two years.

Many people have decided to scale back, to get by with less stuff, to live in smaller homes. You can buy a   ready-made tiny home, build your own, get a kit or pre-fab, or live in a bus, houseboat, or other movable shelter. Some cities have special ordinances for building “inlaw” or “granny flats” in the back yard. There are innovative solutions in cities, such as the “capsules” in Tokyo. There are numerous blogs and websites with news, photos, and/or plans for tiny homes, documented here.

If you’re thinking of scaling back, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here. Here’s a different approach, a 180º turn from increasing consumption. Here are builders, designers, architects (no less), dreamers, artists, road gypsies, and water dwellers who’ve achieved a measure of freedom and independence by taking shelter into their own hands.