Mini Homes Pop Up All Over Detroit to Help People Get Back on Their Feet
Cass Community Social Services is in the midst of building tiny homes as a way to help formerly homeless men and women get back on their feet. Their goal is to build 25 of these tiny homes, which will be anywhere between 250 and 400 square feet.
But even though these homes are all small, they are not all the same. They’ll all have different styles — there are plans to build a Victorian, a Cape Cod, a Colonial, and a Tutor to name a few. The idea behind all these different home styles is to give each homeowner a sense of pride in their completely unique mini home.
The homes will go to formerly homeless men and women, along with children who have aged out of the foster care system. They will be built by professional tradespeople and construction workers, but volunteers will manage all the finishing cosmetic jobs such as landscaping, painting, building decks, and fencing. This includes different types of fences for different homes, including vinyl. Vinyl fencing is a non-toxic option as it is not treated with harmful chemicals, making it a great option for families with younger children.
According to Reverend Faith Fowler, who is partly in charge of the project, the best part of these tiny homes is that they don’t come with any mortgage payments. Considering that a whopping 59% of all homeowners wished they understood the terms of their mortgage better, living for free will give these homeowners a little breathing room and the ability to get back on their feet without having to be bogged down by debt and confusion.
“There is no mortgage,” explains Fowler, to CBS Detroit. “So it gives a chance for really low-income people — people who make $10,000 a year or $12,000 a year to become a homeowner – with all the dignity and pride that implies, but also the asset it is – that most poor people get locked out of.”
Rather, the homes will be rent-to-own with a rate of a dollar per square foot. If the homeowners can pay both their rent and utilities on time for seven consecutive years, they will be able to become the official homeowner.
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