Affordable Tiny Home Community Opens near Austin, Texas
A tiny home community has recently opened near Austin, Texas, offering affordable housing options to residents. The community consists of 28 units, each with two bedrooms and one bathroom, and spacious living areas with amenities like full-size appliances and central heating and air conditioning. The homes, although considered tiny homes, offer 822 square feet of living space, which is larger compared to typical tiny homes. The community, named Mustard Seed, is not a temporary shelter but provides 12-month leases to its residents.
The initiative to build this affordable housing community came from a local husband and wife team, Joseph and Stephanie Claypool, who aimed to combat the increasing housing costs in the area. The couple had experience in flipping homes and saw this as an opportunity to give back to their community. The project was funded with the help of Texas-based Amplify Credit Union, which provided the loan and logistical support needed to complete the community.
Within two weeks of completion, all 28 units were claimed, demonstrating the high demand for affordable housing in the area. The residents of Mustard Seed include teachers, nurses, 911 dispatchers, and restaurant service workers. The community fosters a sense of belonging and neighborly interaction, with residents enjoying activities like playing cornhole together and gathering at the fire pit in the nearby park.
Joseph Claypool expressed his desire to continue creating similar projects in the future. He is considering expanding the tiny home initiative, and Amplify Credit union has expressed its interest in supporting his next project. As gentrification increases in Austin due to the influx of big tech companies, initiatives like Mustard Seed provide an alternative for individuals and families seeking affordable housing in the area.
