HOT BUTTON: Granny flats

On Sunday, we asked another Hot Button question: Do you support placing homeless families in granny flats built by Multnomah County on homeowners' properties?

Today, we're publishing some of the responses. If you'd like to add to the discussion, please see the 'Share your opinion' info box on this page and let us know what you think. Look for a new Hot Button question on Sunday.

Astronomical cost: $75,000 for one unit? That's an absolutely astronomical cost at $375/square foot. Does this include permits for and installation of sewer, water, and electricity? Is the homeowner/landlord also responsible for liability? Three hundred units times $75,000 = $22.5 million! No way.

Ken Tiekotter, Northeast Portland

A tiny house for a lot less: My tiny house is 20 feet long and 8 feet wide. In those 160 square feet, I have a queen bed, two closets, a full kitchen, dinette, couch and full bath with tub and shower. I have hot water, gas heat, and air conditioning plus an awning for a covered patio. It is fully mobile and only requires 30 amps of power. It is called a travel trailer. It only cost $20,000 new, and used units are available for under $10,000. No, it doesn't have a wood exterior and a peaked roof, but are we trying to house the homeless or make an architectural statement? Perfect for a granny flat!

Ernie Carlson, Rhododendron

Plan's many unknowns: The tiny-home proposal is one of the worst ideas yet. 1) What happens in five years? 2) Who pays for installation of utilities? Who pays utility bills and repairs? 3) Insurance? Taxes?

Reports have these units costing $75,000 or so, far above reason, due to government involvement. No way should taxpayers be expected to approve this "plan" at least until the plan is carefully examined and rendered viable. Stick with the mass produced, thoughtfully sited, affordable units as those currently proposed for the Kenton area. There are many feasible locations for clusters of these units, providing access to commonly needed services such as transportation and oversight by the county health department.

Dan Whedon, Northeast Portland

Lower cost, broader reach: The tiny-home proposal is a wonderful idea. But $75,000 each is a no-no. The real costs should be about $15,000 each or even less. Moreover, the granny flat idea shouldn't be just for residential areas, but also include churches, high schools and other offices and businesses, where the back or side lots could be used for tiny homes, providing additional income for the property/business owners. Care-taking responsibilities could also go along with the grant to the homeless family, and that could help create a closer bond with the property owner and community. We live in Depoe Bay and about 50% of the homes here are second homes and vacant most of the year. Absentee owners may really get behind this year-round idea.

Richard Pawlowski, Depoe Bay

What about Wapato?: Should we allow "granny flats" in homeowners' yards? Absolutely not! The city of Portland and Multnomah County have ruined enough neighborhoods with skinny houses built a few feet apart and apartments with no off-street parking. People would have to build tall, solid fences for privacy. Then when the time comes, they can rent them out making matters even worse for the neighborhood. It's time for the city and county to sit down and work at plans for housing the homeless. How about Wapato jail?

Douglas D. Miller, Milwaukie

Not in the neighbor's backyard: Who wants the homeless mess that permeates the city parked next door in the neighbor's yard! Garbage, drug paraphernalia, fights are the norm. The pervasive disrespect for our community is unacceptable.

Its naive to think a tiny home is going to end drug/alcohol addiction, mental illness, a lifetime of bad decisions and being unemployable.

If worldwide efforts to house homeless refugees by the millions works, why can't Portland establish a similar solution in one of the industrial areas to provide a dry place to sleep, shower and garbage facilities? Move the support services there to accommodate the needs of these people.

Doris Threloff, Beaverton

Used trailers a better option: I don't support placing homeless families in granny flats built by Multnomah County on homeowners' properties. The estimated cost of $75,000 per unit may be reduced significantly by utilizing pre-owned professionally designed and constructed recreational trailers. There are many used trailers on the market. They can range from 20 feet to 40 feet long to meet the needs of individuals or small families. These trailers are typically equipped with toilets, showers, kitchens, dining tables, bedrooms, closets and seating areas. They also normally have a roll out canopy for shade. Obviously, electricity, water and sewer waste disposal would be required.

After Hurricane Katrina and the flooding, disaster relief efforts included new trailers as short-term residences for homeless families until their destroyed home was restored or replaced.

My wife and I have owned and utilized three used trailers and one new 26 foot trailer we acquired in 2004. We still use it 3 months of the year and, with reasonable care and maintenance, it has many more years of use.

Clark Jewell, Hillsboro