Look around the MLS in any given city....what can you get for 99K? Not much right?
If you take a look at our housing, there is not a whole lot for low income families. Take in to consideration the cost of housing, HOA Fees, Property Taxes, Gas mileage because people will likely have to drive from affordable housing, Utility Bills.....OH, Utility Bills. Those are getting so many of us these days.
What if affordable housing was really affordable all the way around?
I wrote a post not too long ago where I indirectly talked about Green Building and affordable homes. I mentioned taking areas in Urban areas and rebuilding with Affordable, Green Homes. Why? I believe that everyone could really benefit from Energy Efficient, Green Homes. Discounts on Insurance, lower Utility Bills, close to areas with jobs....etc. in existing Urban areas. Excellent idea.
Well, apparently I'm not the only one thinking that way. Yeah! Rice Design Alliance and the American Institute of Architects have joined to make the 99K Competition in Houston. They are currently taking applications for Designs on sustainable, affordable homes that can be built AND SOLD for 99K OR LESS.
The homes are to be up to 1400 sq ft, 3 bedrooms and 1 1/2 - 2 bathrooms and need to fit on appx. a 50 X 100 ft lot. There will be 3 designs chosen and built starting at the end of March 2008 in Houston's Historic 5th Ward.
Sounds like a GREAT way to bring new thoughts to Affordable Housing in Urban Areas. I can't wait to see what amazing stuff comes out of this contest.
If you would like to read more about the competition and the area considered for the 99K Competition, You can go to the following website--->>>> the 99K House Competition
Thanks for the post Stephanie. I will watch the competition.
J.
Hi Jeff, Sounds like it should be interesting.
Hey Dena, it is awesome!!! Just think what these sustainable homes could do for low income real estate. Very Good Things!!! I hope to meet someone involved with it so I can get the inside scoop on how it goes.
Stephanie,
I like the idea a lot...also I would like to see an effort to retrofit 'greenly' existing housing!!! Thanks, Fran
This makes so much sense Stephanie, very cool! There are so many families that will benefit from this idea.
Hi Terry, that's too bad. With this contest they would have low utility bills also!
Hi Matt, :) LOL. Then I couldn't afford to live over there. Well, I might could buy a 1/2 bath.
Hi Teri, Absolutely! I hope the trend continues after the first few homes are up. Maybe some Developers will like the idea? We can hope.
Hi Chris, I think the property taxes are a problem sometimes. Heck, my house payment would not even be $400 without property taxes.
Hi Ana, I think so as well. It is a VERY good thing.
Stephanie,
Wonderful initiative over there. This is exactly what is needed to advance the green building concept, contests and whatnot where professionals can showcase their ideas and designs and find out whether they work or not and at what cost.
It all starts with a good, simple, efficient design Stephanie. Get that footprint down to 900 square feet and plan on a shoe-box footprint. Value engineered framing, properly sized mechanicals and using products that perform instead of going for the big, national brand names that make you spend more on marketing than product. Voila. You've got yourself an affordable home. Floor coverings and appliances are tricky but not impossible.
While working for the Home Builder Association we put together a number of affordable plans for anyone to use. Check out the latest version here. You won't see anything really special. Just decent housing. And you can do it green! It isn't rocket surgery. Just good design.