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TINY home residents have been evicted amid a confusing battle with officials over their village’s size.
Those expelled from the North Carolina site spoke of their shock as they love being part of a “family.”
“We’re all one big happy family,” Robin Hopkins told local NBC affiliate WRAL.
She has been living at Buckhorn Veterans Park, situated on the Wilson County/Johnston County border, since 2022.
The tiny home village is near a reservoir, surrounded by nature and just minutes from shopping centers.
SHUT DOWN
The campground – which opened about two decades ago – is popular for its recreational activities and is regarded as a haven for RV dwellers, according to Modern Campground.
However, the park’s bosses said on Wednesday they had no choice but to shut it down.
Eviction notices have been handed to residents – including Hopkins – this week.
“[I was] shocked, angry,” she said.
As a result of the closure, Hopkins has been left homeless.
She told the broadcaster that she has been on a waiting list for a couple of months to relocate to other tiny home villages.
“They say, ‘we’ve got a waiting list… we’ll call if a spot is available,’ and you never hear from them,” she added.
Tiny home eviction rules
Tiny homes are legal in North Carolina – as long as you follow the rules
- Each county and city has different rules and building codes in the state, warns Tinyhouse.com
- Generally, a tiny house ranges between 60 and 400 sq ft
- In Jackson County a habitable room must have at least 120 sq ft of gross floor area
- But in Wilmington and Charlotte at least 150 sq ft and an additional 100 sq ft is needed for each new occupant
- Tiny homeowners must get permits from the local jurisdiction
- Tiny homes in North Carolina must have a kitchen area with a sink
- Plumbing fixtures must be attached to an approved sewage disposal system
- There are also rules for temporary tiny houses such as RVs
- For example, they should not have permanent plumbing or mechanical connections
- It’s illegal to live inside a RV in your backyard
- You must pay property taxes on tiny houses on wheels
Wilson County told the campground’s bosses that it was operating unlawfully without a permit.
An appeal to stay open was launched – but this legal action was rejected in January.
TOO SMALL
County officials said it was banned from operating as there is a 10-acre requirement for such sites.
But Buckhorn Veterans Park is about six acres.
The county’s rules also state that – aside from the on-site manager/owner – residents are prohibited from living there full-time.
“These regulations have left residents and the park’s owners in a difficult position,” reported Modern Campground.
A county spokesperson said residents could remain temporarily at the campground – as long as they are looking for an alternative home.
The U.S. Sun has contacted the organisation and the campground for further comment.
“I pray to the good lord that everyone can find a place,” said George Hartman, a campground resident.
He is adamant there is adequate space for residents.
“If you got enough room and you’ve been taken care of, why ruin it?” he added.
The site transitioned in 2015 to house people wanting to park their RVs, campers, or trailers on a more permanent basis, explained Modern Campground.
EVICTION CRISIS
The US eviction crisis was highlighted in an op-ed published by CNN in February.
The story alludes to the current “housing affordability crisis.”
“For individuals under the threat of eviction, studies have uncovered links to a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, suicides, high blood pressure and child maltreatment,” the authors said.
They cited a new study evaluating data from Princeton University’s Eviction Lab and the US Census Bureau.
This study said that each year, 2.7 million households receive an eviction filing.
“Each year, 2.9 million children are affected by an eviction filing, and the typical eviction case filed in America involves one child.
“Millions of American renter households every year are threatened with eviction, an event associated with severe negative impacts on health and economic well-being,” it added.
