Could a competitive research program persuade builders to make small, affordable starter homes again? My grandparents began married life in two converted chicken coops. Their modest beginning raises a practical question about how young families can gain a first foothold in homeownership without waiting for a large house they cannot afford.
In this November 2023 essay, I propose adapting Small Business Innovation Research grants to housing design, construction methods, and prototypes. The suggested goal is move-in-ready starter homes below $150,000, with rural and urban programs, coordinated zoning and permitting, and protections for first-time owner-occupants rather than investors. The proposal is one part of a broader housing strategy: encourage builders to compete on useful, affordable homes, not only larger and more expensive ones.
Read the essay and sources: https://joelkdouglas.com/2023/11/07/small-affordable-homes/
