Mike Danis of Danis Construction in Lyndeborough makes pitch for tiny houses

A builder in Lyndeborough is working to address the housing shortage and the affordability issue of many residences.

Danis Construction is developing tiny houses, an alternative to traditional new construction, which is out of reach for many in the region. A tiny house is commonly not more than 400 square feet, and goes on a trailer that can transport it to the desired location.

According to a presentation by Mike Danis of Danis Construction, a tiny house “blends the architectural features of a traditional home with the flexibility of mobility while complying with various construction and safety standards.”

“It’s not a silver bullet to the housing shortage, but for a couple, or people who are downsizing, it could be just right,” said Danis. A contractor for 35 years, he has spent the last five years developing the plans and building techniques that resulted in a model open for tours Tuesday at the firm’s site on Forest Road.

Danis invited members of the New Hampshire House’s Housing Committee to tour his model, and selectmen and several real estate agents also attended the presentation. The model open at Danis’ site included a sitting area with TV screen, shelving, a kitchen area with a two-burner stove and a washing machine and convection microwave.

“You can actually prepare a Thanksgiving dinner here,” said Nikki Jackson, Danis’ daughter.

Off the kitchen is a bathroom with a shower and composting toilet, and a loft over the kitchen area accommodates a queen-size bed. Exterior construction included cedar clapboard siding and PVC trim.

“We use the same construction standards as we do on a home,” said Danis.

Lyndeborough Town Administrator Geoffrey Allen was impressed.

“You could buy it, put it on your land for your kids, and when they buy land, they can take it with them,” he said.

The structures were also touted as having Airbnb/short-term rental possibilities. 

“We don’t have hotel capacity for our tourism demand,” said Rep. Calvin Beaulier of Littleton, a member of the Housing Committee. “And some towns adopt codes simply to limit building.”

Danis pointed out three specific issues that tiny houses address.

“The affordable housing crisis, sustainability, as there’s lower energy consumption along with a smaller ecological footprint, and flexibility, in that they are suitable for couples, retirees and remote workers,” he said.

Homelessness was also mentioned as an issue timy homes address, as Los Angeles is using them for its Tiny House Project. 

Sunapee Rep. George Grant of the Housing Committee said that building a new home today costs $500 to $600 a square foot. The square-foot cost of a $100,000 tiny house such as those that were open at Danis’ site is $250. 

“In spite of that, we can’t keep houses on the market,” Grant said.

The members of the Housing Committee were on-site because as current New Hampshire law offers no definition of tiny houses, barriers exist in some municipalities in terms of zoning codes and financing and insurance issues exist for prospective owners. These roadblocks and others have limited how available these structures are to help ease the shortage and cost of housing in the state. Karl Zahn of East Key Realty in Milford, who has also been a contractor, said that the realities of traditional construction result in exorbitant prices. 

“Contractors looking to build a subdivision of 80 homes? After the permits, building the roads and utilities, they have to charge $800,000 a house to get their money back,” said Zahn.

Brendan Hague of CMG Home Loans said Triangle Credit Union is looking to create a loan product for tiny houses, and that the interest on such a loan would be tax-deductible if the home is a primary residence. Danis said that the state does not currently recognize the homes as residential units if people don’t own the land under them.

“The time has come to get this going,” said Leo Trudeau, building inspector/code enforcement officer for Lyndeborough. He said that the disposal of sink and waste water might be hurdles, but that “the legislature must define these.”

In 2021, Maine passed legislation allowing residents to live in a tiny house as a primary or accessory dwelling, said Danis. 

Saying that his own daughter can not buy back a home she sold in the area four years ago, Danis said, “I’m passionate about this. What can we do to solve the problem?” He said that it has taken him five years to develop this aspect of his business and that he “hasn’t made a nickel on it yet.”

The trailers on which the houses would be transported are produced in the region at Granite State Trailer in Winchester. 

Members of the Housing Committee appeared to be in agreement that legislation to make the state more accommodating of tiny houses would help to address the issues at hand.

“One of the problems in Concord is introducing common sense into the Legislature,” said Grant.