Tiny Homes Detroit

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tiny Homes Detroit is a development of small, one- and two-person tiny homes constructed for low-income tenants by Cass Community Social Services. The development is located on Elmhurst, Monterey and Richton Street,[1] between Woodrow Wilson and the Lodge Freeway in Detroit. The Lodge Freeway is one of the most trafficked freeways in the Motor City.

History[edit]

The Tiny Homes project was started in 2016 by Rev. Faith Fowler, the executive director of Cass Community Social Services, in order to address asset inequality and create a financial safety net for working poor people in Detroit.[2] The organization purchased 25 parcels of land, measuring 30 by 100 feet (9.1 m × 30.5 m), from the City of Detroit. The lots are located just west of the Lodge Freeway and only a few blocks north of the Cass headquarters at 11850 Woodrow Wilson. They obtained architectural plans for a variety of tiny homes, which ranged in size from 250 to 400 square feet (23 to 37 m2) of floor space.[3] Cass Community Social Services raised money from numerous sources for the project, with an estimated total budget of $1.5 million.[4] Donors included Ford,[5] Jon Bon Jovi, General Motors, staffing agency Epitec, and the Birmingham First United Methodist Church.[3]

A model home was constructed in late 2016, and the first six homes in the development were completed by early 2017.[4] Nineteen homes were completed by 2019.[3] Additional larger homes for families are planned in the future.[6]

Usage[edit]

The homes in the development are slated for low-income tenants making as little as $8,000 per year,[5] with the intent to both address housing needs and set low-income tenant on the path to home ownership. The homes are rent-to-own, with tenants taking ownership after a seven-year period.[4] As of 2022, there is a legal dispute regarding eviction and home ownership.[7] The rent is set at $1 per square foot ($11/m2), and includes all utilities.[3] Tenants applying for the program also agree to meet with a financial coach, attend financial literacy classes, and volunteer on neighborhood projects.[5]

When the first six homes were completed in 2017, 122 people applied for tenancy. Applicants were anonymously rated using a numerical scoring system, which factored in residential history, financial readiness, and personal references. The first tenants ranged in age from 24 to 74, and earn an average income of $988 a month.[5]

Description[edit]

Tiny Homes Detroit is located along three streets (Elmhurst, Monterey and Richton), between Woodrow Wilson and the Lodge Freeway.The development will contain 25 homes when completed.[3] Houses are located on 30-by-100-foot (9.1 m × 30.5 m) lots, so each has a back yard.

The individual homes range from 250 to 400 square feet (23 to 37 m2) and are designed for individuals or couples.[5] The homes are unique, with distinctive colors and design elements. Architectural styles range from cottages to Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, and an environmental house, with each house being different.[1] Each home contains appliances, a bed, sofa and dining table,[4] and is solar powered.[3][4] Several have porches or patios.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Brown, Jeffrey (August 28, 2017). "Detroit's tiny houses give residents a home to rebuild their lives". Chasing the Dream. PBS Newshour. PBS – via YouTube.
  2. ^ Fowler, Faith (2017). Tiny Homes in a Big City. Detroit: Cass Community Publishing House. p. 5. ISBN 978-1-942011-75-0.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Lewis, Shawn D. (August 29, 2019). "Tiny homes draw big interest, open for tours in Detroit". The Detroit News.
  4. ^ a b c d e Feighan, Maureen (May 23, 2017). "6 tiny homes open in Detroit for weekend fundraiser". The Detroit News.
  5. ^ a b c d e Woolhouse, Megan (March 27, 2018). "The Tiny Home Evangelist". Bostonia.
  6. ^ "Tiny Homes Detroit makes housing affordable". CNN. August 28, 2017 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ Neavling, Steve. "How promise of homeownership in Detroit turned to an eviction and defamation lawsuit". Detroit Metro Times. Retrieved 2022-10-30.

Further reading[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tiny_Homes_Detroit&oldid=1209037109"