In Charlottetown, newcomers and youth are building tiny homes to supply affordable housing

It doesn't look like there's enough room for three houses at the Construction Association of P.E.I.'s building site next to Charlottetown Rural High School — but there is. That's because the houses are tiny homes.

"We have two 300-square-footers plus one 500-square-footer," association general manager Sam Sanderson told CBC News on a recent visit.

The tiny homes will eventually become affordable housing as part of a provincial project. Right now, they're still being fitted with the most energy-efficient hardware possible.

Each building is net-zero ready, said Sanderson.

"In the simplest terms, it's very easy to heat. It uses very little energy to heat and cool, and it's good for the environment," he explained.

That requires high R-values for insulation on the walls, floor and ceiling to retain heat, and audits from the province to make sure every possible way to save energy has been considered. 

"Everything about them screams energy efficiency," Sanderson said.

Inside each of the tiny homes is enough space for a bedroom — or two, in the case of the 500-square-foot ones — a kitchen, a living room and a bathroom with a shower or bath. All the normal appliances will be brought in, including fridge, stove, washer and dryer.

"It's small, it's unique, it's innovative, but it's also very easy to maintain," Sanderson said. "And your long-term care costs are certainly much, much less than your traditional home."

Construction began on the first of the tiny homes back in March 2023. They are taking longer than usual to build, but that's for a good reason: They are being built by students.

The construction association has two training programs that run side by side, one aimed at skilled newcomers to Canada and the other at youth considering a construction career. Under supervision from a handful of industry professionals, students in both programs have been doing the work on the homes.

One of those students is Zhaojie (Jerry) Wang, who moved to P.E.I. from China four years ago. He was an engineer at home, but says he's always liked construction.

"Before I went to Canada, I built my own house, and I want to try electrician, carpenter or other fields. I like to try new things," said Wang.

Wang said he's learned a lot in the program, including the ways in which carpentry is different in Canada.