City of New Haven, residents battle over tiny homes

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — There’s a shelter showdown in New Haven.

Residents of so-called “tiny homes” are fighting to keep their power on, but leaders argue that a temporary permit expired and cannot be renewed.

“I hate that it has come down to this,” said David, one of the residents. “Something would help, like maybe extending the deadline.”

The deadline was up on Monday, after a 180-day temporary permit from housing officials.

Mark Colville owns the property on Rosette Street where they built six tiny homes last fall, equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and HVAC systems.

“Are you going to throw people out of air-conditioned buildings on the hottest day of the year?” Colville said.

Residents use Colville’s nearby home for restrooms and cooking, but city and state leaders claim the tiny homes are not up to code.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said the city guided Colville to get zoning approval last year, but he still has to deal with the state.

“We don’t have control over this,” Elicker said. “It’s not like I can snap my fingers and avoid or violate the state law.”

Colville said that the fight to keep the power on continues, even after marshals showed up to his property on Tuesday morning and issued an eviction notice, giving residents 24 hours to collect their belongings and leave.

“Come and fight us, or come and break bread with us,” Colville said. “Make a choice, because it’s got to be one of the other.”

Elicker said that the city is choosing not to arrest residents or demolish the structures — but the city’s placing a lien on the property and the group is required to take down the tiny homes.

“Like any other illegal dealing unit, we will notify the utility [company] to turn off the power, and that is what’s coming,” Elicker said.

David hopes there’s a change of heart for a community that’s changed his life.

“Do the right thing,” David said. “This community helps people get back on their feet when they are mostly down.”

Leigh Appleby, the director of communications for Connecticut Administrative Services, said the permit process is a city’s responsibility. He reiterated that temporary structures are only allowed for 180 days, and then have to meet state building codes.

“Temporary structures still need to conform with the structural strength, fire safety, means of egress, accessibility, light, ventilation and sanitary requirements of the code,” Appleby wrote.

“These structures do not meet the structural strength thresholds for wind and snow loads, foundation requirements, energy efficiency requirements for thermal insulation, fire resistance rated walls, and sanitary provisions. Once the permit expires, the temporary structure and membrane structures must be taken down,” Appleby continued.

Additionally, Appleby said “people have a reasonable expectation that all structures they enter are safe.”

“Building codes are put in place to ensure just that,” Abbleby wrote. “It is the responsibility of municipal building officials to assure that all structures are up to code and are safe environments for all occupants. While we sympathize with the residents of these temporary structures, we understand that the city Housing and Homeless Services department stands ready to assist with longer-term options.”

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