Reframing the American Dream: Tiny Housing as a Window into Consumer Culture, Political Landscapes, and Structural Equity

More than a fad, tiny housing reflects a long history of alternative living and offers an interdisciplinary - and sometimes contradictory - window into consumerism, structural equity, personal aspirations, and political landscapes. Despite traditional housing ideals and challenging local building codes, tiny housing has garnered significant interest from individuals, political leaders, developers, big box stores, and curious viewers of HGTV. Reframing the American Dream draws on the expertise of urban planners, architects, public policy researchers, sociologists, and anthropologists who use tiny housing as a lens to explore critical questions: How can tiny housing help address the increasing demand for affordable housing? How are tiny homes influencing local and national politics? How does tiny housing highlight structural inequities related to disability, homelessness, gender, and race? What are the implications for building codes and sustainable construction? Can they raise awareness about environmental issues? How have tiny homes been integrated into mainstream culture, and what impact might corporate interests have on housing markets? What practical challenges do tiny housers face? How does tiny housing fit with housing dreams of the past and present? Featuring case studies, interviews, and surveys, Reframing the American Dream provides a deeper understanding beyond glossy media portrayals, connecting individual experiences with cultural ideals and institutional power.