Could your family all live in a Eleven Foot square box.

[zoomzoom]

Here is a previous Act from 1862:

Passed on May 20, 1862, the Homestead Act accelerated the settlement of the western territory by granting adult heads of families 160 acres of surveyed public land for a minimal filing fee and five years of continuous residence on that land.

I'd definitely take 160 acres if all I had to do construction wise was build a 120sq/ft building on it and live there. That said, after that 12x12 was there, I'd be getting materials for something bigger.

 

[Haertig]

Would I live in an 11'x11' space?

I'd give it a try if there was no HOA involved (that would be a deal-breaker). As long as the weather was moderate all year round and I could construct outside spaces for daily activities. Like a sun shade over a table and hammocks, outhouse, etc. I would reserve the 11'x11' space for sleeping and cooking during inclement weather. Would I actually make it living like this? Probably not at my age. Maybe when I was younger.