In May of 2018, we took a road trip up to Terrace B.C. to see the micro village Ted Allsopp had built.
Bluegrass Meadows Micro Village is the first Tiny Home community in Canada.
For us, it gave us the opportunity to learn about the community Ted was building on 31 acres just outside of Terrace.
On our Fernie visit, Ted had told us of approaching staff at the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine with the idea of developing property he owned into a micro home village. Ted was initially surprised to find they were very accommodating as he had heard of many tiny home builders were having major zoning hurdles in other communities.
In 2015, when Ted approached the Regional District, the rental vacancy rate in the Terrace area was the lowest in B.C. with rents continuing to rise. It was perfect timing to offer an affordable solution to the problem of affordable housing shortages.
As we were learning Ted's vision was more than creating a supply of affordable dwellings: he also envisioned creating an eco community of tiny homes.
The village featured lovely little homes each displaying the personality and lifestyle of the occupant. The Lead carpenter, Maisie, oversaw a crew of workers putting finishing touches on some of the newest buildings. We could see and feel how a community was being shaped as we walked along the bank of the Kalum River and later sat on the deck of the tiny home where we were staying watching the resident dogs have their nightly play session in the field.
For dinner, 5 adults and two dogs sat in the living area of the tiny home we were staying eating pizza and talking sustainability. We were comfortable and not crowded.
Living tiny may be about living more sustainably while living comfortably in your own space in a community that brings people closer to nature and closer in relationships to their neighbours.
