For many families across Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, the rising cost of housing, elder care, and medical support has created a quiet crisis: how do we care for the people we love without uprooting them from the communities they cherish? For Joe Pagnani, founder of NE Tiny Homes, the answer is simple, dignified, and increasingly life-changing: build beautiful, functional accessory dwelling units (ADUs) designed to keep families close. 

Joe didn’t begin his journey with a grand plan to disrupt the housing market. Instead, the spark came from something deeply personal — watching families struggle to stay connected as aging loved ones faced difficult decisions about nursing homes or assisted living. With a background in construction and real estate, and after selling a previous company, Joe saw an opportunity to build something with purpose. His wife introduced him to the growing tiny home movement, and when he realized zoning laws were shifting, the mission became clear: create homes that truly help people.

“There’s nothing that makes me happier than when a client tells me, ‘My mom finally has her own place,’ or ‘We can take care of her now without a nursing home.’ That is the reason I do this,” he says. 

A Mission Built Around Family

The core philosophy of NE Tiny Homes is simple: keep the family nucleus intact. Whether it’s an aging parent, an adult child with special needs, or simply creating more space for multigenerational living, these structures offer safety, independence, and connection. Joe sees firsthand how transformational this can be.

“We’re finishing a 600-square-foot ADU for a woman whose daughter has a mild disability. She needed to be close, but still have her own space. That’s what these homes make possible.” 

A True White-Glove Experience

What sets NE Tiny Homes apart is its concierge-level service. Joe and his team don’t simply build a structure — they guide families through every step, from zoning and architectural plans to excavation, custom finishes, utilities, and appliances.  From the first meeting to move-in day, they handle everything.

Clients can choose from existing models or fully custom layouts. Most homes end up completely personalized—vaulted ceilings, lofts, upgraded finishes, expanded cabinetry, and more. And despite the smaller footprint, visitors are often shocked by the spaciousness. “People walk in and say, ‘It doesn’t feel small at all,’” Joe laughs. “Smart design makes all the difference.” 

A Growing Movement — and Barrington Is Ready

Local zoning changes are helping. In fact, Barrington recently removed the minimum square-footage requirement for ADUs, making it one of the most ADU-friendly towns in the state. As long as setbacks and coverage rules are met, families can now build meaningful, functional secondary homes much more easily. “I’d love to build one in Barrington,” Joe says. “It’s a perfect match for what families need right now.” 

A Vision for the Future

While most of Joe’s ADUs focus on family care, creativity is blossoming. He has built therapy offices, man caves, and plans to unveil a 2026 model designed around a golf simulator and wine-tasting space. The possibilities are expanding — and so is the movement. “Give it ten years,” Joe says. “The landscape is going to look completely different.” 

If you’d like to explore how an ADU could help your family stay close while maintaining independence, NE Tiny Homes is ready to guide you every step of the way.