Earlham students hope tiny house helps fight stereotypes

(AP) — What started out as a summertime project for a pair of Earlham College students will soon become a temporary part of the school's efforts to introduce sustainable housing alternatives.

The 256-square-foot home, 8 feet wide by 20 feet long, is completely off the energy grid and is built onto a standard trailer chassis, making it mobile.

The college, which will use the building as both an instructional tool and a residential dwelling for the two women obtained that variance during the zoning board's Jan. 12 meeting.

"With these students living in (the house) ... they can invite fellow students, faculty, staff and the Richmond community into the (home)," he said.

The house is expected to be placed near the main road through campus — within view of the campus's police department — in the coming weeks, and will remain there until May, when Fishleder and McCullough graduate.

Earlham's Vice President of Student Life Laura Hutchinson said the school is eager to support the women in their efforts to show others what kind of impact can be had through tiny homes.

For McCullough and Fishleder, the tiny house they built is something they consider to be an integral part of their educational experience, and they each said they're looking forward to helping others understand "the importance of sustainability."