Our Commitment
Equal Housing Opportunity
We believe every person — regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status — deserves access to safe, beautiful, dignified housing.
Our Fair Housing Pledge
Tiny Florida Homes is committed to the principles of the Fair Housing Act. We do not discriminate in the sale, rental, or financing of housing, or in the provision of brokerage services, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. We are proud to serve all people of Central Florida equally and with dignity.
The Bigger Picture
Homelessness in America — And Why Tiny Homes Are Part of the Answer
On any given night in the United States, more than 650,000 people experience homelessness. They sleep in shelters, in cars, under bridges, and in doorways — in the richest nation on earth. Behind every statistic is a human being: a veteran, a mother, a young adult aging out of foster care, a worker who lost a job and couldn't make rent. The crisis is real, it is growing, and it demands real solutions.
The Scale of the Crisis
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Annual Homeless Assessment Report, homelessness increased by 12% between 2022 and 2023 — the largest single-year increase on record. Florida ranks among the top five states for unsheltered homelessness, with tens of thousands of residents lacking stable housing on any given night. The causes are complex: rising rents, stagnant wages, a shortage of affordable housing units, mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and a fraying social safety net all play a role. But at the root of nearly every case is one simple, devastating fact — there are not enough homes that people can afford.
The Affordable Housing Shortage
The National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates that the United States is short more than 7 million affordable rental homes for extremely low-income renters. In Central Florida, a worker earning minimum wage would need to work more than 80 hours per week just to afford a modest one-bedroom apartment at fair market rent. When housing costs consume more than half of a household's income, one unexpected expense — a medical bill, a car repair, a missed shift — can push a family into crisis. The pipeline from housing instability to homelessness is shorter than most people realize.
Tiny Homes as a Real Solution
Tiny homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are increasingly recognized by housing advocates, city planners, and policymakers as one of the most practical tools available to address the affordable housing shortage. At a fraction of the cost of traditional construction, a well-designed tiny home can provide a safe, private, dignified living space for someone transitioning out of homelessness, a senior on a fixed income, a young adult just starting out, or a family member who needs nearby but independent housing. Cities like Los Angeles, Austin, and Portland have launched tiny home village programs specifically to house unhoused residents — and the results have been encouraging. Residents report improved mental health, greater stability, and a renewed sense of dignity and belonging.
The Role of Backyard Cottages
One of the most powerful — and underutilized — tools in the affordable housing toolkit is the backyard cottage, also known as an accessory dwelling unit or ADU. When a homeowner adds a small, well-designed cottage to their property and rents it at below-market rates, they create housing that didn't exist before — without requiring new land, new infrastructure, or government subsidy. Across Florida, zoning reforms are making it easier than ever for homeowners to add ADUs to their properties. Every cottage built is a unit of housing added to the community. Every family housed in a backyard cottage is one fewer family at risk of homelessness.
What We Believe at Tiny Florida Homes
We build storybook cottages — beautiful, thoughtfully designed small homes that bring joy to the people who live in them and the neighborhoods they grace. But we also believe that beauty and affordability are not opposites. A well-built tiny home can be both gorgeous and attainable. It can be a luxury retreat for one family and an affordable rental for another. It can house a grandparent, a college student, a veteran, or a neighbor in need. We are proud to be part of a movement that takes housing seriously — not just as a product, but as a human right. If you are a homeowner considering adding a cottage to your property, we encourage you to think not only about the financial return, but about the human one. A home changes everything.
Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness or housing instability in Central Florida, the following organizations can help.
Ready to Add a Cottage to Your Property?
Every cottage we build adds a home to the community. Let's talk about what's possible on your property.