The lot fit 9 McMansions. They built 44 small homes for locals instead
Maggie and John Randolph kept losing employees who couldn't afford housing on the New Hampshire coast, so they decided to build their own staff housing with a tiny home pocket neighborhood. The lot was originally zoned for 9 luxury homes, but they took advantage of a special zoning program which allowed them to build 44 homes on less than 4 acres.
“As a developer we could have built $700,00 to $800,000-dollar homes versus building these”, explains John, a contractor, but instead he and his wife Maggie, an architect, used their skills to design affordable housing. To keep the footprint within the legal size of a tiny home, each 384-square-foot bungalow has a 160-square-foot loft that can be used as a bedroom.
The rents here are about half that of market one-bedrooms in Dover (NH), but each unit is a stand-alone home built around a common green. “I love the idea of pocket neighborhoods,” explains Maggie, “and how do we create communities, creating opportunities to interact with each other”.
Every house at their Cottages at Back River Road has a ground-floor bedroom, a loft that could serve as a second bedroom, a kitchen, a living room, a bathroom with a stand-up shower, washer and dryer hookups, and a mini-split system for heating and cooling.
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Happy 1st Anniversary to Harmony Homes By the Bay
November 6, 2018 - It’s hard to believe that we officially opened our doors over a year ago! We’d like to take this time to thank our residents, staff, family and friends!
Affordable housing is more than just a place to live; it’s a cornerstone of economic stability and quality of life. As housing costs continue to rise faster than wages, many employees are facing difficult choices between paying for rent or covering other essential expenses. This stress not only impacts their financial stability but also affects their job performance and overall well-being.
Understanding Affordable Housing
Affordable housing is generally defined as housing where the cost is less than 30% of a household's gross income. This is a crucial metric because when housing costs exceed this threshold, individuals and families are more likely to experience financial strain. The gap between income and housing costs has been widening due to various factors including economic downturns, population growth, and insufficient housing supply.
The Benefits of Affordable Housing for Employees
When employees have access to affordable housing, they experience a significant improvement in their quality of life. Financial stability from lower housing costs allows employees to focus more on their work rather than worrying about making ends meet. Additionally, stable housing contributes to better health outcomes and less stress, which in turn boosts productivity and job satisfaction.
The Impact of Proximity on Employee Performance
Living close to work offers multiple advantages. Reduced commute times mean employees have more time for personal activities and family, leading to improved work-life balance. Shorter commutes also translate to less environmental impact due to decreased car usage. Furthermore, living in close proximity can foster a stronger sense of community and improve workplace morale.
Case Studies and Real-World Examples
Several successful affordable housing projects highlight the benefits of integrating housing and employment. For instance, Google's housing initiatives in Silicon Valley aim to provide affordable housing options for their employees, leading to increased job satisfaction and reduced turnover. In urban areas like Portland, mixed-use developments have effectively combined affordable housing with retail and office spaces, creating vibrant and sustainable communities.
Economic and Social Implications
Affordable housing not only benefits individuals but also strengthens the local economy. When employees can live near their workplaces, they contribute to local spending and economic growth. Moreover, affordable housing can play a role in reducing social inequities and crime rates, as stable housing contributes to safer and more cohesive communities.
Strategies for Implementing Affordable Housing Solutions
Effective implementation of affordable housing solutions requires a multifaceted approach. Public policies, such as tax incentives for developers and increased funding for housing programs, play a critical role. The private sector can also contribute by investing in affordable housing projects or providing housing stipends. Engaging with local communities ensures that developments meet the needs and preferences of residents.
Overcoming Challenges and Barriers
The path to affordable housing is fraught with challenges, including financial constraints and regulatory barriers. Creative financing solutions and policy reforms can help address these issues. Overcoming resistance from various stakeholders requires transparent communication and demonstrating the long-term benefits of affordable housing projects.
The Future of Affordable Housing and Proximity
The future of affordable housing lies in innovative solutions such as modular housing and smart city technologies. Sustainable growth will require a collaborative effort from governments, businesses, and communities. By taking proactive steps, stakeholders can ensure that affordable housing continues to meet the needs of a changing workforce.
Conclusion
In summary, affordable housing is essential not only for individual well-being but also for the overall health of the economy and society. Proximity between living and working spaces enhances productivity and quality of life. Addressing the housing crisis requires a collective effort to implement effective solutions and ensure that all individuals have access to affordable, quality housing.
Video from Pubity at https://www.tiktok.com/@pubity
EVERY senior community needs an inoperable car with working radio in their parking lot. That way the senior can sit in it rocking out for the memories. For some that might be the only joy they have in life, especially if their families have taken them to senior communities or nursing homes and rarely, if ever, visit.
We think ALL HUD housing needs Solar. Just think of all the money they'd save the government!
Susan Auslander, age 89, Spearheaded a Solar-Energy Drive in Connecticut and it worked!
An octogenarian Hunter College alumna has spearheaded a successful drive to install solar panels throughout her Connecticut retirement community — and she’s just getting started.
(This was not for low income housing, but it could be.)
CLICK HERE TO READ WHAT SHE DID
Her Retirement Home Said ‘No’ to Solar Panels. She Got It to Buy 1,344.
In what seemed like a futile fight with her retirement community’s management, Susan Auslander, just shy of 90, found an opening.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT WHAT Susan Auslander did
Things my mom did when she lived in MN before she came back home to Colorado (Click news article name to read more.)
Got a bus stop at the library
and
Marshall woman petitions to have bus stop at library
Helped turn ALL HUD housing into non-smoking
Another game-changer in the works to eliminate smoking
and
HUD SECRETARY CASTRO ANNOUNCES PUBLIC HOUSING TO BE SMOKE-FREE
New rule protects health and safety of residents, saves PHAs millions of dollars in preventable damage
Nov 30, 2016
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HUD's national smoke-free policy will save public housing agencies $153 million every year in repairs and preventable fires, including $94 million in secondhand smoke-related health care, $43 million in renovation of smoking-permitted units, and $16
https://archives.hud.gov/news/2016/pr16-184.cfm#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Centers%20for,smoking%2Dpermitted%20units%2C%20and%20%2416
(Just think of how much it would save our government to add solar to HUD/low income housing!)
How To Use The Internet To Pay For Your Dental Bills
This is how mom got the funds to finance some of her dental work 8 years ago
(THE LINKS THEY TALK ABOUT FOR MOM ARE NO LONGER VALID - THIS WAS FILMED 8 YEARS AGO)
This is mom's interview on a National podcast. She was also interviewed by NBC National News about the harassment and stalking she's endured in 1994. It's off-and-on to this day, December 13, 2023.
