Posted on 04/12/2016 4:25:50 PM PDT by maine-iac7
For over a decade, architecture students at Rural Studio, Auburn University's design-build program in a tiny town in West Alabama, have worked on a nearly impossible problem. How do you design a home that someone living below the poverty line can afford, but that anyone would wantwhile also providing a living wage for the local construction team that builds it?
In January, after years of building prototypes, the team finished their first pilot project in the real world. Partnering with a commercial developer outside Atlanta, in a tiny community called Serenbe, they built two one-bedroom houses, with materials that cost just $14,000 each.
(Excerpt) Read more at fastcoexist.com ...
Such a house in colder climes would cost somewhat more, for insulation, foundation, heating system, etc.
Also the deck enclosure is illegal in many states - horizontal slats, kids use them like ladders...
Good article.
Too bad it doesn’t include info on how to obtain a set of plans.
Ping.
“Moved back to rural America. Bought one Victorian house for 12k, my mom bought the one next door for 20k (everyone thought she paid too much), bought a third across the street for 10k and a 3 story brick school for 10k. All in fine shape and fairly large and in good condition, low crime area, but its small town America.”
Wow! Can you at least give away the state (though I wouldn’t blame you if you don’t...).
“1 acre is a lot of land to take care of, trust me if u come from row house philly its big, real big.”
Yep. When I bought my first house, it came with FIVE acres of land (in New Jersey!). It was only after I moved in that I realized that every foot of them was covered in ticks - not to mention I needed to buy a rider mower to take care of the lawn.
I quickly began feeling very nostalgic for that 30 x 30 foot fenced in “back yard” in back of our old rental condo... (sigh).
I like the idea of a cheap house so that many more people can afford to have a good place to raise a family cheap without living in a slum style apartment.
But they are doing a lot of social engineering here, looks like they want to put these in expensive neighborhoods ..ala section 8? They are definitely targeted toward vets, unfortunately.
And they forgo quality and cheap pre fab options to do ‘make work’ jobs. Here is some advice for them, do the factory prefab so you have an even cheaper product and you will have plenty of jobs because you can build more of them faster!
ut are they to CODE?
Vets? Pretty sure these are meant to be for the gibmedats & in one year they will have the houses trashed, the yard full of junk and trees stripped of most limbs for the outdoor BBQ’s
Be sure to also watch out for stray bullets as you pass by.
Vets deserve the healthcare plan these criminal politicians have, a home of thier own and a descent retirement. Without our vets there would be no America! They should have the best America has to offer, yet these criminal politicians give it to illegals and the bums who dont want to do a thing but stick thier hands out
Milton Friedman was brilliant. Wow.
Did you see the thing at the bottom about micro-apartments?
A grand a month, for “affordable” lower income units (which in NYC is $48K apparently) with 250-350 square foot.
Back in the 90s I was paying about $300 for maybe 600-700 square feet, a lawn with trees and detached garage in Abilene, Texas.
I don’t care if I won the lottery: you couldn’t pay me to live in a big city. The suburbs are bad enough: I’m actually kinda upset that the last local feed store is being gentrified into a feed store themed eatery.
Since when is it the job of the working “poor” to provide jobs? Maybe they’ve latched onto some new dangles trickle-up economic theory?
I agree ;)
Um ... should be “fangled” rather than “dangles”
Envy envy! ;)
Sounds like the tiny rural “Plantation” where I grew up - in he north woods of Maine. I could go back in a heart beat.
My first apartment was in a new complex with two nice pools and a clubhouse. 1 bedroom, 1 bath but lots of big windows, decent kitchen, private covered deck in the rear. Plenty of space for me, living area not too small to have friends over. $275 a month. 1988.
You locate them where the code permits - saves a lot of time.
They could be built down the road from em, for example
Ditto
I have an acre and a half of QUIET and privacy - and can grow my garden - and flowers, and watch the birds, occasional deer/moose stroll across the back.
Most Vets don't do so good in cities with the noises - 'INCOMING!"
Don't have to lock my house or my car. Know everyone and they me. If I needed help, I wouldn't even have to ask.
I posted the article, not because I think the people involved with these houses are anyone to deal with - but for the IDEA - that could be used for a Vets Housing program. - across the country.
Nonetheless, you should lock your house and your car.
Just for safety.
I agree wholeheartedly.
An acre is overkill, and more often than not a lot more work than most people can manage particularly as we age.
Somewhere between my 6300 urban lot and a half acre would be the sweet spot for me. Privacy and community are both priceless, rich or poor.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.