Cinnamonhuskies:

BTW what websites have you found dealing with little homes?

Sorry to butt in, but there are some good links here: 

Small Homes 

Michelle,

 Our housing consists of a government travel trailer and an older RV. The RV does not qualify as livable for my family as it can't sleep all of us nor does it have a operational kitchen or running water to it. We lived in the TT for 18 months then were able to use the RV for additional living and storage space. Both of these are on property.

So all the way around I don't feel settled. And then I feel bad spending any money on feeling more comfortable and secure because we aren't supposed to do that, are we? But after 20 months of spinning our wheels, draining ourselves financially to replace lost items and get ourselves in a position to get ourselves in a home...we are still here and our mental well being demands we do something to feel stable.

I am having nightmares about being thrown out of here, nightmares about finally buying a home only to loose it due to job loss or some really bizarre things that couldn't really happen. This has to have some end and I have to feel at peace with the now to have the ability to take another step.

Pat, I am looking though to see if there is anything I read that is not included. I didn't save any of it but I think I could dig it up.

 I read the DS one. The description of the shotgun house sounds like the one that my in-laws lived in when I met my husband.

Here is one on the Katrina Cottage that you shared: 

Michelle,

I found this one while digging up the sites:

http://designassistant.cottageliving.com/browse/cottage/spcSearch?tab=Rooms&offset=1&rpp=12&Solutions=SolutionsSmallSpaces

Hey Michelle..I have another something to chew on..

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/980115a.cfm

This stretcher article about the shotgun house makes a suggestion that would not work in such a home but might in your barn...a loft. Is there room to construct a loft that would offer more personal or storage space?

When we thought we had property. we were looking at options for housing. My husband was looking at building with non conventional materials like cement block and metal buildings. He mentioned lofts as a way to make the best use of space especially with the high ceilings on the metal buildings. We were tossing around ideas like a loft to have seperate areas for the girls or a sleeping area over a sitting/study one. 

Brandy,

One of my favorite things is found in Jeremiah chapter 29:11-12, not sure if that would be the same for you. It says,  For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the Lord,"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you

Hold on to that hope of the  Passover.

Barb 

I started out with hope and the months dragging by have drained me of it so I actively have to do things to keep that positive feeling.

Dear Brandy, It just dawned on me that living in S Mississippi, you may well be in TEMPORARY housing DUE TO Katrina.  Is that the case?

If so, have you applied for ALL of the loans & assistance that you could get to be able to move into some more permanent housing?  Try your local Legal Aid Society for help.

G-d bless!

Yes mam, we are on the northern end of the Katrina disaster zone. We don't qualify for most of the assistance and loans. We have a Fema agent who works with us and we exhausted her listed info and we have even looked for things on our own.

We were hoping to rent but that's been like chasing unicorns.

My husband took a job opportunity after the storm. Despite the high expenses I mentioned, it's decent income. We have been turned down for things because we make too much. $3,000 too much in 2006 for the special home loans.

Prior to the storm, we were low income, frugal and paid with cash which left with no credit. We have been turned down for some things due to credit.

Because we have  put so much out of our own pockets, we don't have a nice savings to use to assist us in housing. It will take a bit to build up.

Dear Brandy, They say, "Praise G-d & pass the ammunition."  You are now in my prayer journal that I pray from every morning.  But I still think that it would be practical for you to check with the local Legal Aid Society.  FEMA is at best confused (its employees) & at worst mismanaged.  The LAS would know if there are any ways to get FEMA to be of more help to you.  It couldn't hurt to try!  There will probably be some small fee on a sliding scale, so be prepared for that.

BTW, this is nothing compared to your situation, but I just want to express why I am so able to emphatize with you.  When I had my brain injury in 1997 & had to resign from law practice, I went on Social Security Disability & had to move.  I had been in a large one-bedroom apartment which I shared with about 100 houseplants (mostly succulents) & LOADS of furniture, paintings, & creative materials.  When I moved here, I had to jettison almost all of that -- teh houseplants' loss saddening me most.  This is a 2-room "studio," in a "gentrifying" neighborhood (that means that the prostitutes & drug dealers are being slowly driven out by upscale businesses & condos.).  The kitchen is large by city standards for studios, & I am very fortunate in that, but the main room is barely larger than the kitchen (although it is supplemented by a wonderful walk-in closet).  Underneath my Murphy Bed (really!  They still have them in urban apartments.) is about 1/3 of my food surplus collection.  Anyhow, it has a northern exposure, so I only have 6 very shade-loving houseplants now.  My sewing hobby results in 1/2 of the main room being used for that purpose.  I also have a desk with my computer.  BTW, this 1912 building still has gas lines to light lamps in every apartment!

Let me know if I can be of any practical help, but remember please 1st & foremost that I have retired from the practice of law & CANNOT furnish any advice more specific than for you to obtain services from the Legal Aid Society.  I think that your income is low enough for them to take you on.  For anyone with more income who is reading this, I might at some point recommend that that person seek legal advice from a private attorney, but I would never give you any more specific advice.