This is Part I of a series on the Homelessness & Incremental Housing Toolkit.
Last year, the folks over at Kronberg Urbanists and Architects put together an amazing Homelessness & Incremental Housing Toolkit for Chattanooga, TN.
It’s a really incredible book, with the section on proposed housing type standing out as a wealth of information for congregations looking to build housing on their land. This section includes a number of house plans that are flexible enough for infill development on small or strangely shaped lots, perfect for faith-based housing.
For this article, I’ve selected 4 plans that would fit well into any faith-based housing development. There are many more included in the toolkit, and I encourage you to dig deeper for even more options.
Studio Cottage
This studio cottage is an ideal option at the smaller end of the spectrum.
At only 14’ by 22’, it can fit into small lots and be the perfect home for someone experiencing housing insecurity, a college kid, or a young adult who wants to live affordably and doesn’t need much room.
This is solidly within “tiny home” territory, which may mean it’s not great for most long-term residents. Yet it’s important to have options in this range because they are both affordable and attainable on small lots.
It can also be paired with another studio to create a duplex, which might fit in better aesthetically when surrounded by larger homes.
1 Bed Cottage
The 1 bed cottage is a step up from the studio, offering more private space and permanence. This house would be ideal for a young person or couple. It is also a good option for an older person who wants a bit more room, especially given its one-story works well for aging in place.
The porch is a great addition, making the house feel bigger and offering a nice place to socialize.
1 Bed Cottage (2-story)
The 2-story version is also a great alternative that could fit into a narrower site. While less ideal for an older person, it would still be great for younger people or single folks who don’t need a big house.
This one can also be a duplex option, again a great variation for a setting where a larger house would be appropriate. I also like the bigger porch on the duplex option, which feels practical while being attractive.
2 Bed Cottage
This 2 bedroom cottage is a great option for a small family, a couple who wants an office, or two roommates. This plan really wins on its flexibility, retaining a small size that could easily slot into its surroundings while accommodating a range of living situations.
Takeaways
These housing plans offer a ton of options and flexibility for studios, one and two bedrooms, duplexes, and more. Not only are they beautiful, but they also offer an attainable housing solution for those who need it, whether that be young people looking for a temporary place to stay, older folks who want to age in place, or people experiencing housing insecurity.
An important thing to keep in mind when looking through these plans is that any project would be wise to include a mixture of these housing types in order to foster a diversity of options. That makes for stronger, more resilient communities that allows residents to remain in the neighborhood through many life phases.
Faith-based housing is not just about building homes that are affordable. It is also about strengthening community by offering better places that people enjoy living in. Well-designed houses and sites are crucial for accomplishing that mission.
Next month, we’ll cover some sample site plans that use these housing types to get an idea of how they can be arranged to maximize common space while retaining privacy.
Love these.