Dear Tiny House Enthusiast,

It has been a long road to legalize tiny houses in our little town of Ojai, CA. Our efforts started in Nov. 2015 when one of the Planning Commission members (thanks Chester Jagiello!) introduced tiny homes as a means for affordable housing. Just like many other cities throughout the country, Ojai is in a dire housing crisis.

Being in the construction and building industry, I've seen first-hand inherent problems with building and zoning codes, and the tremendous costs associated for permitting (not to mention time required).

READ THIS GREAT ARTICLE that shows one man's solution to affordable housing, providing himself cheap shelter without the incredible challenges of permit processing.

If you believe in alternative options for affordable housing (such as tiny homes on wheels), join us at the City Council meeting on June 28th at Ojai's City Hall! Details below.

Big changes take time and perseverance. And we're almost there! We had a successful City Council meeting in May in support of tiny homes... Yes, we have the power to make changes for the good of all people. Yes, we can influence public policy.

If you're disappointed with the recent results for the presidential race, start working for change on other levels. Let's create change at a local grassroots level, right in our own backyard!

Cheers to Inspiring Change,

UPDATE ON CITY HALL MEETING FOR TINY HOMES

At the last City Council meeting on May 24th, I felt a tangible sense of community in support of tiny homes. It was a packed room, standing room only! Thank you to all who came out... To those who prepared their speeches, those who drove all the way from LA, and others who just came for support. We're another step closer to legalizing tiny homes!

WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE LAST MEETING HERE

Thanks to Dan Fitzpatrick for an insightful presentation and Planning Commissioners Chester Jagiello and Kathy Nolan for paving the way. Special thanks to City Council members Bill Weirick and Randy Haney for their support!

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
June 28th, Tuesday, 7pm at Ojai City Hall. This is the meeting to attend! The City Council will vote on whether or not to allow Tiny Homes as a second dwelling unit.
OJAI CITY HALL ADDRESS: 401 S. Ventura Street, Ojai, CA 93023

Attendance by LOCAL tiny home advocates is critical! If you're an Ojai resident, we strongly encourage you to give a 3 minute presentation. Come early to fill out a speaker card at the beginning of the meeting.

We have a Facebook page for Ojai Tiny House Community. If you're an Ojai resident, join the group HERE

SOL HAUS DESIGN IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR LATEST INNOVATION

The SOL POD mobile studio is designed to be multi-functional, flexible and portable. Built on a 16' trailer, the structure can be used as a backyard cottage, office space, art studio or guesthouse. We use prefabricated modular panels called SIPs (structural insulated panels) and an advanced photovoltaic system.

Thanks to JS Solar and SimpliPhi Power for the solar set-up. More thanks to my fabulous builder Greg Prinz and Daniel Bell who helped complete the interiors. More photos on our website.

Interested in having one built for you? Go to our website to sign up for more info.

CHECK OUT SOL POD AT DWELL!! Go to Dwell on Design in Los Angeles on June 24-26th. It's America's largest design event and a great resource for modern home design. We're grateful and honored to partner with SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District) to promote alternative energy systems. Check us out at the LA Convention Center... Don't miss it!

2016 ANNUAL GREEN LIVING TOUR IN OJAI

We were proud to help raise environmental awareness at the 7th Annual Green Living Tour by Ojai Valley Green Coalition (OVGC). Several beautiful homes were included this year, including the debut of SOL POD and a new tiny house design by Humble Handcraft.

Thanks to so many attendants this year, we raised over $2500 making this year's event a success! Special thanks to OVGC for bringing the community together and to all who came out for this year's tour!

"TURNING TINY" AT TINY HOUSE JAMBOREE

Over sixty leaders of the Tiny House Movement have come together to embody the spirit of human scale living in one amazing book. TURNING TINY, a collection of stories from some of the most renowned tiny house thought leaders and luminaries will be unveiled before the Tiny House Jamboree.

RESERVE YOUR COPY HERE!

I'm honored to be in company with these tiny house luminaries. I look forward to sharing the story of how my little house came to be, especially highlighting friends and local artisans who handcrafted the beauty of my humble abode.

SUBSCRIBE HERE and read previous newsletters HERE