Among the many challenges of navigating post-divorce life at 62, Margot Hollander's primary concern was finding a place to live. She struggled to access social housing due to extensive waiting lists. As a former dance teacher with an unstable income, Hollander found it impossible to secure a mortgage or easily rent private accommodation. With 145,000 euro (170,000 USD) from her divorce settlement, she knew purchasing a home in the city was out of reach.

In 1/2024, she discovered the tiny house model and used 143,000 euro in cash to purchase a pre-built unit at the Minitopia project. "Many people bid, but I was the lucky one," the now 65-year-old woman stated.

Margot Hollander in her tiny house at the Eindhoven facility, Netherlands, after her divorce. Photo: BI

The Minitopia Foundation is currently collaborating with local authorities to transform derelict land into 5 tiny house communities across the southern Netherlands. Rolf van Boxmeer, co-founder of the organization, reported that among nearly 2,000 people awaiting home purchases, single, older, and divorced women account for approximately 30%.

The Eindhoven facility, where Hollander resides, can accommodate 100 homes. Residents here can either purchase existing tiny houses or lease land to build new ones, with costs ranging from 5,000 to 75,000 euro. Additionally, they pay several hundred euro in ground rent each month.

Sidra Gifford, 54, living at Minitopia's Valkenswaard facility, explained that moving to these communities often stems from an urgent need to secure housing after separation, given the challenges of finding rental properties.

According to real estate agent Mariska van de Velde, newly divorced women often possess cash from selling a shared home but typically have low monthly incomes. In the Netherlands, tiny houses do not qualify for mortgages because buyers do not own the land. Consequently, their compact size, affordability, and cash transaction requirement make them the most viable housing option for these women.

Minitopia village, with its largest location in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Photo: BI

This trend extends beyond the Netherlands. In the US, similar tiny house communities have emerged in states like Oregon and Texas, specifically catering to older single women. A representative from the Escape Tampa Bay Village community in Florida reported that about one-third of their residents are women seeking a simpler lifestyle with fewer management burdens.

Alice Elizabeth Wilson, a lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, stated that divorced women represent a significant proportion of tiny house residents in Western countries. Dedicating much of their lives to domestic work and raising children often leaves them with insufficient savings, assets, and pensions. "Tiny houses are one of the most viable solutions they can afford," she added.

Clara H. Mulder, a demography lecturer from the University of Groningen, noted that the pressure to find housing and a decline in income after divorce make tiny houses a practical choice in their later years.

For Hollander, this arrangement is more than just a financial solution. After two years, she has grown attached to the community. "I hope this is my final home," she said.

Bao Nhien (According to Business Insider)